Post Office basement houses student center

Pool and ping-pong tables, a computer lab with Wi-Fi and Friday night concerts can all be found in the most unlikely of places — the basement of the Franklin Street Post Office.

Street Scene Teen Center, a nonprofit organization located beneath the post office, has been a second home for teens in Chapel Hill since 1985.

Keshia Tilles, a 26-year-old transfer student at N.C. Central University majoring in physical therapy, is one of the center’s tutors.

She said the number of students coming to the center for tutoring services and after-school activities has unexpectedly dropped this year, and many tutors show up without any students to help.

“I think a lot of people just don’t know about the resources we offer,” Tilles said.

Tilles has been working at the center for three years.

“It’s always encouraging for me to see the (students’) grades up. That’s what I push for,” she said.

“When they get the good grades, it lets me know I’m doing my job right.”

Nicolle Johnson, a 7th grade student at Smith Middle School, said she started going to the center in August — and is now earning straight A’s.

Johnson gets picked up from school and taken to the center for tutoring, snacks and the chance to spend time with her friends and counselors.

“My favorite thing about the program is that I get to hang out with my friends while improving my grades,” she said.

“My dream is to someday attend UNC, and I want to do my best in school, which is what the teen center allows me to do.”

Liz Carter, Youth Council coordinator for Chapel Hill, directs the center.

She said she is passionate about working with teens.

“The students are so precious to us,” she said with a smile.

Carter hopes more students will take advantage of the programs offered at the center, which is co-sponsored by Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation.

The center also receives funding through community fundraisers and donations.

Tutors work Monday through Saturday and help middle school and high school students in every subject.

Math tutoring is the subject in highest demand, Carter said.

Most of the tutors are students from UNC and N.C. Central — many through work-study programs. Other students volunteer.

Meg McGurk, executive director of the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership and former director of the center, said she still remembers the hundreds of teens she worked with during her time there.

“Street Scene Teen Center has always managed to be there at the right time, for the right reasons, just when a teen has needed it,” she said.

“Street Scene’s doors are open and waiting.”

Contact the desk editor at city@dailytarheel.com.