I was a teenager at the turn of the millennium.

It's never easy being young and insecure, but in a low-income environment, it can easily

get downright depressing.

Most of us were adopted by well-meaning aunts, uncles or grandparents.

Some were foster kids.

Most of us were just unwanted, and myself included.

Things often got violent.

We didn't dare to be different.

Minnesotans can be cruel.

Our town had a boost when a large shipping company set up downtown.

We got about 120 new full-time jobs, and the town suddenly just came alive.

With this windfall, the mayor decided to restore old buildings and repair failing infrastructure.

One of those buildings, down by the lake, was completely rebuilt.

New floors and reinforced roof, sandproof walls, so it could be used as a practice room

for local bands.

This new building was made open to the public as a youth club, and for a bunch of teenagers

who've been given nothing, this was as close to a gift as we get.

We loved that place.

The Tom Skog youth club, TYC, was lovingly referred to as the TIC.

It was special.

For one glorious summer, that place was our church.

There was a basketball court outside, a ping-pong table, a few computers for land gaming, and

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