“Straight Street New River Valley provided a safe, supportive environment for my friends and me to be. There was a wonderful sense of belonging. The leaders were extremely supportive and encouraging. As a teen, it was inspiring to know there was a team of Christian adults who accepted us just as we were.” — Lora Alley Ratcliff.
“I cherish the time I spent at Straight Street 25 years ago because God showed me when I was there that there are other people and teenagers my age that have quality relationships with God and can help me in a moment of weakness or just have good clean fun.” — Allen Tuggle
“Just like a lot of others, when I was a young teen in middle school I was angry at the world and confused about religion. I found Straight Street. There, I was met with a safe place to have fun with my peers and most importantly, the first place I had ever learned and heard the Word of God spoken with Love, Grace and Salvation as the message instead of fire and brimstone. I spent a lot of time there and that place meant a great deal to me!” — Kristy Marshall Taylor
Former director hopes to relaunch Straight Street organization in NRV
After an almost two- decade hiatus, Bob Anderson believes the New River Valley once again needs Straight Street.
The former director of the faith-based teen center that was run in two Christiansburg locations in the 1990s is hosting a public gathering at the Christiansburg Golden Corral at 10 a.m. on April 16 to discuss the possibility of restarting the effort in the area.
Anyone interested in the effort is invited to the free brunch, so long as they RSVP by emailing bobanderson85@gmail.com or calling 230-7446 by April 15.
