LIFT Teen Center

LIFT Teen Center LIFT (Leelanau Investing For Youth)is a non-profit youth program located in the heart of Suttons Bay, MI. Broadway Suttons Bay, MI 49682.

LIFT Teen Center empowers Leelanau County's youth to discover and embrace their strengths to become kind leaders by investing in their evolution, autonomy, and character. Serving as an after-school program for high school and middle school students in Leelanau County. The goal of LIFT is to be an inclusive body of students; striving to build better futures, stronger students and empowered leaders

within the community. As a functioning program, LIFT is intended to be a warm environment conducive to nurturing and empowering each student for their strengths. To donate to LIFT simply mail a check to "The Friendship Community Center" with the memo line "YOUTH CENTER" at 201 W. For any other questions e-mail, [email protected]

Over Memorial Day weekend, we were honored to be a beneficiary of the second annual NeighborFest, hosted by our friends ...
06/03/2026

Over Memorial Day weekend, we were honored to be a beneficiary of the second annual NeighborFest, hosted by our friends at 💚

There were so many incredible details from the day to be grateful for:
➡️ All of the musicians who performed donated their time and talents
➡️ LIFT teens showed up on a holiday weekend to volunteer
➡️ In addition to hosting the space for LIFT to share more about our mission with the community, Lively Acres donated half of the proceeds from their food sales in support of our teens
➡️ Bob DeKorne crafted a custom LIFT-inspired electric guitar to be auctioned off in support of our out-of-school programs
➡️ Cap’n Gerry Shiffman donated gift certificates for daytime and sunset cruises to be auctioned off in contribution to empowering local teens
➡️ Co-beneficiary, Empire Area Community Center (EACC), were incredible partners in the event and are doing awesome work in our community!
➡️ Our very own Emily Alt co-emceed with her husband, Ian DeGraaf and did a beautiful job highlighting both organizations and showcasing the musicians
➡️ So many community members came out to dance, donate, and picnic!
➡️ The sun shone after a rainy morning ☀️

The list truly goes on and on. We are so endlessly appreciative for this impactful community event. ☺️

The school year may be winding down, but LIFT isn’t. In a few short weeks, our no-cost summer programming for Leelanau C...
06/03/2026

The school year may be winding down, but LIFT isn’t. In a few short weeks, our no-cost summer programming for Leelanau County teens will kick off! Read more about our summer activities and how to get your student involved with LIFT this summer. ☀️

Link here: https://www.liftteencenter.com/post/summertime-at-lift

06/02/2026

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SUTTONS BAY HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2026! 🔴🎓

On Friday, May 29th, our community gathered in the High School Auditorium to celebrate an incredible class as they officially turned their tassels and stepped into their next chapter! 🌟

The evening was filled with pride, inspiration, and unforgettable moments:

✨ Superintendent Casey Petz kicked off the ceremony with a warm welcome to families, friends, and staff.

✨ Class President Urijah TwoCrow introduced our wonderful Commencement Speaker, Bekah Tenbrink (Director of LIFT), who shared powerful words of encouragement for the future and sprinkled in anecdotes from her time working with these students since they were in the sixth grade.

✨ We were incredibly proud of our Valedictorian, Megan U'Ren, and Salutatorian, Gavin Schichtel, for their wonderful graduation speeches to their class.

From marching into the Suttons Bay High School Band to taking their final walk as students to their class song, "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield, every moment reflected their class motto: “Anchored in Suttons Bay, sailing toward success.” ⚓✨

A huge thank you to Principal Christopher Reeve, the SBPS School Board, our dedicated teachers, the junior class members who acted as ushers, and every parent, family member, and community contributor who supported these seniors all the way to the finish line—including everyone who supported the Senior All-Night Party!

To our graduates: You have left a lasting mark on Suttons Bay, and we cannot wait to see where your sails take you next. Always remember your roots!

“Tonight, you stand at an entirely new trailhead. Some of you already know which direction you want to take. Others are ...
06/02/2026

“Tonight, you stand at an entirely new trailhead. Some of you already know which direction you want to take. Others are still figuring it out. And I want you to know that both are beautiful places to be.”

Last Friday, Bekah had the privilege of serving as the commencement speaker for the Suttons Bay Class of 2026. Her words captured what we so often see in real time… young people stepping into something new with courage, curiosity, and their own pace. ❤️🤍

It’s an honor to walk alongside students from 6th through 12th grade, sharing in the everyday moments and the bigger milestones. And truly, this is just the beginning.

Congratulations to all of the Leelanau County graduates! 🎓 We are so proud of you!

We are endlessly grateful to our friends at Lively NeighborFood Market for involving LIFT in this beautiful new traditio...
05/28/2026

We are endlessly grateful to our friends at Lively NeighborFood Market for involving LIFT in this beautiful new tradition of music and community connection. Thank you to everyone who came out in the rain and sunshine to join in on the festivities! 💚

Our Northport High School LIFTers jumped at the chance to visit Traverse City’s new trampoline park! 🤣💚 Not much beats a...
05/22/2026

Our Northport High School LIFTers jumped at the chance to visit Traverse City’s new trampoline park! 🤣💚 Not much beats an afternoon of flips, laughs, and cheering each other on.

Our LIFT program at Glen Lake Community Schools is the perfect launch point for afterschool adventures on the lakeshore....
05/21/2026

Our LIFT program at Glen Lake Community Schools is the perfect launch point for afterschool adventures on the lakeshore. These Lakers loved exploring the Empire Bluff Trail! 🌊🌲

05/21/2026

Affordable summer camps for elementary students are hard enough to come by Up North, but camps that are geared toward kids in 6-12th grades? Forget about …

“The LCN partnership has been wonderful! The kids love the snacks, as well as the take-home goods! This partnership has ...
05/21/2026

“The LCN partnership has been wonderful! The kids love the snacks, as well as the take-home goods! This partnership has helped my budget and provided essential supplies to kids who may need them!” -Jesus Ledesma, Leland Middle School Program Coordinator

This is what community collaboration looks like! Read more about LIFT’s partnership with Leelanau Christian Neighbors in our latest blog post. https://www.liftteencenter.com/post/partner-spotlight-leelanau-christian-neighbors

Despite the common misconception that “everyone is doing it,” data definitively shows that over 75% of youth ages 12 to ...
05/20/2026

Despite the common misconception that “everyone is doing it,” data definitively shows that over 75% of youth ages 12 to 17 have never used addictive substances. Most young people are making healthy, sober choices. 💚

Having knowledge like this can transform how you talk to teens about substances. Join us on June 2nd at 10 AM at 9 Bean Rows for our next Volunteer Coffee Break to learn more about preventing substance misuse in youth!

Address

PO Box 527
Suttons Bay, MI
49682

Telephone

(231) 480-6006

Website

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