Project Profile
YFC City Life Center
Project at a glance
Youth for Christ Kalamazoo (YFC) is a nonprofit organization serving at-risk youth in the Kalamazoo area, providing programs, relationships, and resources that help students feel seen, supported, and connected. This project transforms a former church on East Main Street into a newly renovated space that better serves their mission.
The YFC City Life Center renovation and addition creates a modern youth facility with gathering spaces, a teaching kitchen, and flexible areas for programming and mentorship. Converting a long-standing worship facility into a youth-focused center required thoughtful planning to honor the existing structure while creating safe, functional, and welcoming environments for students and staff.
Our role on the project
The Barton Group serves as Owner’s Representative for Youth for Christ Kalamazoo, advocating for the organization throughout design and construction. Our team coordinates with the architect, contractor, and stakeholders to keep the project aligned with YFC’s mission, budget, and schedule.
- Helped translate YFC’s ministry needs into a practical program for renovation and addition.
- Coordinated design and construction teams to maximize functionality within an existing church structure.
- Supported budget development, value analysis, and bid review to steward donor and grant dollars responsibly.
- Monitored construction progress with a focus on safety, long-term durability, and ease of maintenance.
Highlights & outcomes
- Adaptive reuse of a former church into a purpose-built youth center in the heart of Kalamazoo.
- Warm, welcoming spaces designed to foster relationships, mentoring, and after-school programming.
- Flexible gathering areas that can shift between clubs, meals, tutoring, and special events.
- Improved building systems and layout to support long-term operations and future growth of YFC programs.
