New director ready for youth

Loretta George/Tribune photo Kellen Geneva is the new director of the Keyhole

Kellen Geneva, 25, is the new director of the Keyhole Center, a youth organization located at 1002 S. Main. She assumed the position Aug. 1.

Geneva started at the center as a substitute in September 2013.

"Over time I began to get to know the kids and enjoyed going to work," she said. "When the position opened, I sent in my resume and was then accepted and became director Aug. 1."

The Keyhole is open to students sixth grade through 12th grade.

Geneva is enjoying the work.

"I never knew how much I would be able to give back to the kids and to be there for them to help inspire to keep them on the right track and to keep them moving forward," she said. "The best thing about the job would have to be the kids. Seeing the kids have a place to go relax and have fun makes me feel like we are fulfilling our jobs."

Geneva is a 2008 graduate of Fort Scott High School and Fort Scott Community College in 2010. She is married to Luke Geneva, a software engineer at Ward Kraft and the mom of Jacob Geneva, 2. In her spare time she loves to read, write, and spend time with family, she said. She attends the Christian Gospel Chapel.

The Keyhole is also known as the Youth Ministries of Bourbon County, and is a 501c3 organization, according to its Facebook page. The mission of the organization is serving as a community center for the youth of Bourbon County. The goal is to provide a safe, entertaining, and drug/alcohol free environment for youth to converse and interact socially, a place to study, a place to discuss, learn and live Christianity.

"When I first started at the Keyhole I was unaware of it being a not-for-profit cooperation," Geneva said. "Having a place funded by the community makes it feel more special as we provide a place for our youth."

Funding for the Keyhole originates from various churches, a local charitable trust, United Way of Bourbon County and community service organizations.

Donations are welcome for funds, aluminum pop cans for recycling, basketballs, usable electronics such as gaming equipment, televisions, and nonviolent/nonsexual videos or games, bulk snack food stuffs, bulk pop, water and sport drink beverages.

The Keyhole rents out its facility for birthday parties, anniversaries, get togethers, reunions and celebrations.

For questions regarding the Keyhole, call (620) 223-4700.