by Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services

NNSL (Oct 29/97) - For two years now the Anglican Church Side Door has been a alternative home for dozens of city teens.

"It's a safe haven," said Capt. Kevin Laframboise, Side Door co-ordinator.

"It's not just a hangout. It's not just an arcade full of games. There's a special dynamic at the Side Door. A sense of community, a sense of belonging, a sense of love. They're just so happy and appreciative that this place is here."

Between 60 and 70 teenagers visit the Side Door three nights a week -- Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

"A lot of these kids are the ones who don't have a very high self-esteem, so they're not involved in anything," he said.

The Side Door operates on a budget of $100,000, which Laframboise himself has solicited from the public.

It has a pool table, big-screen television, the latest video games, two computers with Internet access, a foosball table and lots of comfy couches.

Laframboise, who's a youth councillor and a minister, is also on hand at the church to answer questions about everything from drugs to faith.

"I have kids that are addicted to cocaine who come crying to me because they are addicted and want to get off. I got kids boasting about the fact that they haven't done drugs for six months," he said.

When that happens Laframboise acts as a soft shoulder or strong supporter.

"I really cry for these kids sometimes because I feel for them so much. I have a burden in my heart, and it's real. It's not, 'well I get paid to do this, I get paid to be with you.' I'd do it for free any day."

In the future, the Side Door wants to continue to meet the needs of the community and give teenagers something to do.

"If you were to think who the neediest people in town, you would have to say it's teenagers," he said.

Laframboise hopes more teenagers take pride in the Side Door in the future and call it their home.

"A lot of kids have called it home. For some kids it is home. They fall asleep on the couch and do their homework there. They cry there. They laugh there. They not only come to me for counselling, they have each other. It's just this real atmosphere of, 'I can share with anybody here what my problems are,'" Laframboise said.