New teen community center with recording studio opening up in Glasgow

GLASGOW, Ky.-A new safe space to hangout for teenagers is coming to Glasgow.

“We have wanted this for so many years,” said Barren County YMCA Executive Director Tara Bailey.   

The YMCA received a $7,500 grant and decided to open the ‘U Matter Success Academy’ at the historical Ralph Bunche Community Center. 

“So many kids go down the wrong path, they don’t have guidance, they don’t have a place to really be free so that’s what I wanted to provide,” said Barren County YMCA Teen Director and Facility Supervisor Mikesha Coleman. 

At no cost to teens, every Thursday after school until 8 p.m. they’ll be able to read books, play basketball, eat a free hot meal…and record in a studio thanks to Crypt the Rapper. 

“We reached out to him after getting an ASAP grant and we were like let’s talk about a studio and he was like I’ll hook you guys up,” said Barren County YMCA Director of Grants and Financial Development Angela Briggs. 

Crypt the Rapper, who has over a million subscribers on YouTube, is originally from Glasgow. He also donated money to build a studio center in the center so kids can create and edit their own videos that are drug prevention PSAs.  

“Me talking to a kid about drug prevention with my message is not as good as them writing their own draft of their PSA, them coming up with what the shots will look like, them planning the PSA and then video recording it,” said Briggs. 

They can’t wait for the building to be filled with dozens of kids every Thursday. The structure has historical significance too. 

“This building, being an African American school for this community prior to the 1960s, housed and educated students from 1-12,” said Board of Directors Chairman William Twyman. 

The school was in use until 1964. Staff is excited to give the building a new purpose. 

For more information you can call (270) 651-YMCA or email yes@barrencountyymca.org. Find their Facebook page here.