WALB is working to produce a video for this story. In the meantime, we encourage you to watch our livestream.

TIFTON, Ga. (WALB) - While many students are home during school breaks, one space in Tifton is staying open with a clear purpose: giving kids a safe place to belong.

The Tifton Youth Center is hosting Open Campus Days, allowing children to spend time in a positive, supervised environment while school is out. Program Director Tonja Tift, a retired educator, says the center fills a gap she wishes existed years ago.

“This space was not here when I was growing up,” Tift said. “Now, it gives kids a sense of belonging and opportunity.”

During Open Campus Days, students can read, use computers, play games, create art, and interact with peers in a structured setting. Tift says those activities are about more than passing time; they’re about building relationships and confidence.

“We can have a whole bunch of meetings and talk about what we want to do,” Tift said. “But it’s time to put things into action and show kids we care.”

The youth center also supports long-term growth through scholarships and enrichment opportunities. Scholarship recipients are encouraged to return and speak with younger students, helping them see what’s possible for their own futures.

Tift says one of the biggest challenges isn’t resources, it’s awareness and participation.

“We need the community to take advantage of what’s already here,” she said. “Real change happens when we show up for our kids.”

Looking ahead, the center is planning additional programming, including summer activities and community workshops. Tift says the goal is simple: keep planting seeds, even if the results aren’t immediate.

“I may not live to see how it all grows,” she said. “But I believe this center is on good ground.”

In addition to youth programming, the center is also opening its doors to adults during the daytime hours while students are in school. Organizers say the space is being used for free community workshops, lunch-and-learns, and wellness sessions, including financial planning discussions and stress-management classes.

Tift says those activities are designed to strengthen families as a whole and encourage the community to fully utilize the space.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2025 WALB. All rights reserved.