The North Side Gospel Center, 3859 N. Central Ave. View Full Caption North Side Gospel Center

CHICAGO — After three years operating out of the Lydia Home Association in the Six Corners Shopping District, the Slingshots afterschool center for teens will finalize its move Monday to a larger home at the North Side Gospel Center, 3859 N. Central Ave., according to its founder, the Rev. Bob Anderson.

Anderson set up the nonprofit rec center in 2014 as a free place for preteens and high schoolers to do homework, learn a craft or — if they choose — study and discuss the Bible.

The move coincides with Anderson's appointment as head pastor of the North Side Gospel Center, whose directors wanted to use its extra space to "reach out to teens with a safe and fun safe place," Anderson said. At nearly double the size of Slingshots' current home, the 15,000-square-foot facility will include a gymnasium, multiple music rooms and a 100-seat auditorium.

Also open to students will be a "snack bar," game room, computer lab and art room, Anderson said.

And unlike in its current location, teens will help organize a food pantry and clothing donation system, both for the benefit of needy people who live in the neighborhood.

Having already opened the refuge to more than 1,300 youths, Anderson hopes to copy the Slingshot model at churches all over the city, he said.

"I've been saying for a while that if we can help the teens in Chicago, we can help Chicago," Anderson said. "There are so many in that sixtth-to-12th-grade age group who need extra help, and I think Slingshots can be that resource for teens who are struggling."

After it opens Monday, the entire facility will be open students from 3-6:30 p.m. every weekday.