A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Nov. 17 to officially open the newly renovated Teen Center at the Charles Houston Recreation Center.

“The Teen Center is 98 percent complete and open to Alexandria teens,” said Katharine Dixon, executive director of Rebuilding Together Alexandria, one of the partners in the renovation. “Teens used the center that night and Saturday night, so it's already doing what it was meant to — provide a place for teens to be safe, have fun, learn and grow.”

Beginning in September, Rebuilding Together Alexandria volunteers joined forces with Fannie Mae to renovate the center in the Parker Gray neighborhood. The center’s renovation was spearheaded by the Charles Houston Recreation Center Advisory Council and the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.