ABOUT THE FURNACE
A little more about The Furnace & what we would like to accomplish
The Furnace: A Place to Belong, Discover, and Become
Since its inception in early 2017, The Furnace has worked to increase its presence and impact throughout Monterey County. What began as a big idea in a small space has continued to grow into a vision for something much greater: a place where teenagers can discover who they are, develop their gifts, and begin building a successful future.
From the beginning, we have been committed to developing a comprehensive plan to positively impact the lives of teenagers through a wide range of enriching experiences, programs, and events. At the heart of that vision is a simple belief: every teenager deserves an opportunity to discover their potential and have people who believe in them.
Our commitment to reaching the youth of our community has led us to establish an ongoing dialogue with teenagers across the spectrum of Monterey County. We listen to their experiences, their challenges, their dreams, and their ideas for the future. Those conversations continue to shape the programs and opportunities we develop.
The Furnace will be a place of gathering where teenagers of every background, race,
religion, and creed can come together to meet, socialize, learn, and grow. It will be a safe
and welcoming environment where young people can build meaningful relationships,
participate in educational programs, receive homework assistance, explore career
opportunities, and engage in experiences designed to positively influence their future.
We believe education is important, but we also recognize that success does not look the
same for everyone. Some young people will pursue a four-year college degree, while
others may find their calling through a skilled trade, entrepreneurship, technology, the
arts, or another career pathway.
That is why The Furnace will work to expose teenagers to a variety of possibilities.
Through partnerships, mentorships, workshops, hands-on experiences, and career
exploration, we want to help young people discover their interests, develop their skills,
and pave a pathway toward their future.
The Furnace will also focus on character development. We want to help teenagers gain clarity about their dreams and goals, develop confidence in their abilities, and cultivate the passion and perseverance necessary to pursue those goals.
Our programs and relationships will be grounded in Christian values, while our doors remain open to young people from every background. The Furnace will not be a church; it will be a community-centered environment where young people are welcomed, respected, encouraged, and challenged to become the best version of themselves.
Ultimately, The Furnace exists to help teenagers answer three important questions:
Who am I?
What am I passionate about?
What can I become?
We want to help every young person who walks through our doors discover that their circumstances do not define their future. Their gifts matter. Their dreams matter. Their voice matters. And their future matters to us.
What started as a big idea in a small space has become a growing reality. Now, we are ready to take that vision to the next level and build a lasting resource for the teenagers and families of Monterey County.
The Furnace is where the next generation can gather, discover, develop, and become.
Mission
Our mission is to provide teenagers with a safe, positive, and fun environment where they can discover and develop their character, potential, passions, calling, and future goals, all while building a strong foundation rooted in Christian values and faith.
We are committed to creating a place where every teenager feels seen, valued, supported, and empowered to become the person God has created them to be.
