The Kiwanis Club of Issaquah has donated $20,000 to The Garage A Teen Café, set to open for business in the summer of 2018 at 235 First Ave. Southeast in downtown Issaquah.

Kiwanis has a long history of supporting projects that help youth in the greater Issaquah community. This time, the club is helping fill a long-standing gap in services for high school teens.

“The Garage will add an important element to the continuum of services offered to families and youth in our community,” said Ruben Nieto, president of the 89-year-old service club in a press release. “Kiwanis is very pleased to seed and support this exciting new project.”

The $20,000 donation is designated for the needed building renovations and will sponsor the section of the café designated for music. The Garage anticipates frequent jam sessions and band performances. A plaque recognizing Kiwanis will be placed inside the building.

Planning for The Garage (formally named the Teen Cafe) began two years ago. The Garage Advisory Group is affiliated with Friends of Youth, as the fiscal sponsor. The city of Issaquah is providing city property for the café. The Washington State Legislature recently approved a $100,000 capital budget item for The Garage.

The Garage will serve youth enrolled in ninth through 12th grade at public and private schools in the greater Issaquah area. The Teens 4 Teens council, with representatives from every high school in the Issaquah School District, will be responsible for programming youth-friendly events and activities.

“We are so appreciative for all the support we have received from the Issaquah community,” said KayLee Jaech, director for the cafe in a press release. “The gift from the Kiwanis Club of Issaquah is outstanding. It will ensure that The Garage is able to open with an attractive, safe and welcoming environment from the first day and going forward.”

To learn more about The Garage A Teen Café, go to http://www.issaquahteencafe.org/.