More than 55 volunteers gathered Sept. 14 to join forces with Rebuilding Together Alexandria and Fannie Mae to build a new teen center inside the Charles Houston Recreation Center.

“This is going to be an amazing space when it gets finished,” said Rebuilding Together executive director Katharine Dixon.

Rebuilding Together Alexandria and Fannie Mae partnered with the Alexandria Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Department to build a teen center in the Parker Gray neighborhood. With community input, a design was created by architectural firms Little and Cooper Carry.

Volunteers from Fannie Mae and Balfour Beatty built window storage benches, assembled storage bins and a work island, went through 21 gallons of paint and built a stage platform, all to revamp the Teen Center at Charles Houston Rec Center. The center’s renovation has been spearheaded by the Charles Houston Recreation Center Advisory Council and the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.

“By renovating this space at the rec center, the teen room will provide the young people of Alexandria with a dedicated place to be safe, have fun, learn, and grow,” Dixon added.

For more information, visit www.rebuildingtogetheralex.org.