Just over two years later, on July 10, Peters, Starrs, and fellow staff from the Community Foundation of Greater Flint returned to the center and saw firsthand how that early spark of potential had transformed into something far greater. 

“You could feel the energy and vision in the room two years ago,” said Peters. “The heart of the program was already there. We were honored to be part of a community-led effort to help it grow into what it was always meant to be.” 

The L.I.F.E. Center, a Salvation Army initiative, has transformed into a full-scale youth hub featuring a kitchen, basketball court, arts studio, podcast room, game space, music room, an e-sports lab, and more—all offered free to families in the greater Beecher community. 

With a mission to foster healthy lifestyles and positive youth development, the L.I.F.E. Center is helping young people discover their gifts, build confidence, and envision a future beyond the tiny chairs they’ve long since outgrown. 

A Vision Realized

A bold sign greets visitors at the entrance of the L.I.F.E. Center, proudly spelling out the acronym: Living Intentionally For Excellence. The philosophy is what guides everything inside. 

Since 2023, more than 480 students between the ages of 5 and 17 have participated in L.I.F.E. Center programming. About 60 percent live in Beecher, while others are bussed in from schools like Richfield Academy, Beecher School District, Burton Glen Academy and Linden Charter Academy. 

Every weekday from 3:00 to 6:30 p.m., students gather for hot meals, tutoring, and skill-building activities inside a converted church at the heart of the community. 

The transformation was made possible, in part, by the support of local donors and organizations. The Salvation Army received a $75,000 grant over two years from the FlintNOW Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint to support the L.I.F.E. Center’s expansion. The funding is part of a broader $1.6 million investment by the FlintNOW Fund across Flint to promote youth wellness, education, and opportunity. Additional support from the Community Foundation has helped to sustain the L.I.F.E. Center’s work since 2023. 

“The way this has come together, I’ll only describe it as miraculous,” said Major Randy Hellstrom, Salvation Army Genesee/Shiawassee Area Coordinator. “When we speak a need—people give.” 

Walking through the space, Hellstrom proudly points to community-donated items: a billiards table, arcade machines, and music equipment. Each gift plays a role in making the Center a place where youth want to be. 

Finding a Gift

The L.I.F.E. Center believes that every child has a gift—they just need the space and support to uncover it.  

Through the Gift Discovery Program, students find their niche and stick with it, whether it’s music, culinary arts, e-sports, podcasting, or basketball.  

"Our team is here to give children an opportunity to discover their gifts,” said executive director Linnell McKenney. “We want to find out what their gifts are and give them an opportunity to plan for their life.”  

Just ask McKenney about her own journey, and it’s easy to see why the program is so personal. Raised in Flint with dreams of becoming a professional athlete, she credits her hometown and the mentors who believed in her for helping shape her future. In 1980, McKenney made history as the first woman from Flint to play professional basketball.  

“The City of Flint gave me a chance to discover and develop," McKenney said. “That’s why I’m here today, continuing the work of the dream that I had as a kid.” 

At the L.I.F.E. Center, students have many dreams to choose from, and the Gift Discovery tracks are supported by a range of local partners. In the Healthy Just Feels Right program, students learn to cook using ingredients they might already have at home. Other tracks include music production with Bangtown Productions, performing arts with Heart of Worship, and tech-based learning in the e-sports lab.

For some students, these opportunities fill gaps left in schools where music and arts programs may be unavailable. 

“With music and arts not available in some schools, students can now explore those passions here with professional instruction,” said Hellstrom. 

Building Character

“Today will be a great day. I will choose joy. I will have a positive attitude.” 

These affirmations, led daily by students, echo throughout the L.I.F.E. Center as a reminder of their self-worth and potential. Character-building is central to everything the program does. 

For students requiring additional support, the New Directions Program provides targeted tutoring and mentoring to help them achieve their behavioral and academic goals. 

“For the youth struggling, we don’t want to leave you out there,” said McKenney. “We have a plan to talk to you, your parents, and your mentors."

Positive behavior is also celebrated through a system of incentives. Students earn “LIFE Bucks” by demonstrating leadership, teamwork, and accountability—currency they can exchange for real items in the on-site store stocked with toys, games, and even signed sports memorabilia. 

The Center also prepares students for real-world responsibility through job opportunities posted throughout the building. Positions like Equipment Manager, Rec Room Engineer, and Line Leader come with written descriptions, expectations, and an interview process.  

It’s all part of the L.I.F.E. Center’s intentional approach to helping young people build confidence, develop habits of excellence, and see themselves as future leaders.  

From Tiny Chairs to Big Dreams

As the tour wound down, staff paused in the game room—and there it was: one of the tiny chairs that first caught Sue and Lydia’s attention two years earlier. It is a small reminder of where this journey began and how far the Center has come. 

“What’s happening at the L.I.F.E. Center is powerful,” Peters said. “It’s creating opportunities for young people to grow, lead, and dream bigger. And I truly believe this kind of impact can ripple across the entire city.” 

With demand rising, McKenney and her team are already planning to expand. Their dream is to take the L.I.F.E. model beyond Beecher and bring its impact to the entire city of Flint. 

“We have to get into the heart and soul of these children,” McKenney said. “I’m so excited to be a part of this work. To know that we’re impacting generations—that’s why I’m here today. We want not just Beecher, but the whole city of Flint to access the L.I.F.E. Center.”  

To learn more about the L.I.F.E. Center, visit https://youtu.be/I7GzybedWa4.