The Hyland Teen Center following its grand opening in January. The center will continue to offer teen-centered activities throughout the summer, including a two-class workshop in which Benicia youth can learn how to shoot a promotional video, which they will also be able to act in. (File photo)

Summer is in full swing, and despite the freedom that teens feel it can be quite easy for them to get bored. This is one way the Hyland Teen Center can help.

The Hyland Teen Center, located behind Gateway Church on Military West, was established in January by Barbara Gervase, whose son Kyle Hyland had died by suicide in 2014. Shortly afterwards, Gervase founded the nonprofit Kyle Hyland Foundation for Teen Support to promote statistics of teen suicides and provide support for youth struggling with depression and anxiety issues. One of the main goals had been to establish a teen center in Benicia for teens ages 13 to 19 to hang out, decompress and receive emotional support from peers and counselors if needed.

The center had its grand opening in January and has continued to operate throughout the summer. The season, however, will bring new changes to the center.

The Hyland Teen Center will be operating from 3 to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and it will remain open until 8 p.m. for “Special Theme Nights” on Fridays. These include Art Night on Aug. 5, in which teens can paint on their own canvases and enjoy ice cream sundaes, and an end of summer party on Aug. 19, featuring music, pizza, root beer floats and more.

The age guidelines for the center have also changed. Previously, the center was open to all students between the ages of 13 and 19 who either lived in Benicia or attended Benicia Unified School District schools. The new guidelines now include students under the age of 13 who have passed seventh-grade. Additionally, teens who have submitted the free Teen Center Membership form are now allowed to bring up to two guests who live outside Benicia or do not attend Benicia schools, so long as they fit the age guidelines. The guests must show a form of ID to enter and must be accompanied by a Benicia teen.

The center will also be hosting a professional video workshop from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 1 and 3. The workshop will be hosted by Bay Area videographer and photographer Brandon Lee Davis, who will give instruction on pre-production techniques such as filming and lighting on the first day and shooting a promotional video for the center on the second day. Teens do not have to be in the video to take the class, but actors for the promo video are strongly encouraged. The cost for the workshop is $25, but space is limited for only 12 people. However, more teens can sign up to be in the video. Interested teens can sign up at the teen center. For more information on the workshop, contact board member Deirdre Cruz at 495-5546.

Finally, a volunteer meeting will be held 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 4 at the center to anyone interested in volunteering to work at the center and assist with fundraising, advertising and more. An application can be downloaded from KyleHyland.com.

The Hyland Teen Center is located at 1315 Military West, behind Gateway Church. Those looking to donate can sign up for a monthly donation or just be able to contribute once at KyleHyland.com. For more information, contact Gervase at 301-8312 or Cruz at 495-5546.

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