Grand Love Program Coordinator Judy Peters, left, and Family Advocacy Center Executive Director, Connie Roe, sit in the living room of Central Station. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

OAK HARBOR – When Becci Petersen moved her spirit wear business, the Rocket Shop, to its new location, it left an empty storefront in Oak Harbor. As a longtime supporter of the Ottawa County Family Advocacy Center (OCFAC), she saw her unneeded building as another way to impact OCFAC and the community. She offered the use of the space to OCFAC, which opened its second location, called Central Station, in the old Rocket Shop building on April 24.

Central Station met a crucial need for OCFAC to reach families on the west end of the county. OCFAC offers many programs that impact the physical and mental health of local residents, and its staff is grateful for the opportunity to better connect those programs to west end residents.

“Becci Petersen approached us and offered the use of her building,” said Judy Peters, the program coordinator for OCFAC’s Grand Love program. “She supports our mentoring program, and she knew we had a need in Oak Harbor. Because of Becci’s generosity, we have this space.”

Central Station’s fun, homey, train-themed atmosphere creates a welcoming space for OCFAC’s programs, which include TNT Mentoring, GrandLove for grandparents raising grandchildren, and the new Soar to 24 for young adults ages 18 to 24. The space will also be used for tutoring sessions.

The train-themed Central Station creates a fun and homey community space in Oak Harbor. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

“It’s here for however the community needs it,” Peters said. “We want this used for families. Our mission is to support and stabilize Ottawa County families from birth through adulthood.”

OCFAC staff and volunteers completely remodeled the interior of the building, and now it features a living room, kids room, bathroom and kitchen with space to serve 20 people. Many of the furnishings were upcycled to save on costs. The B-C-S School District donated several items, including a stainless steel island for the kitchen and lockers. McDonald’s donated chairs that were formerly used in its dining room.

“We were resourceful,” Peters said.

OCFAC Executive Director Connie Roe is thrilled to have a location in the center of the county. Now, even more families can be aided by OCFAC’s numerous programs.

“It’s really exciting for us to reach people from this end of the county,” she said. “We’re excited about having our own place in Oak Harbor.”

Central Station will eventually have regular office hours, but for now, it is open by appointment. Central Station is located at 268 W. Water St. in Oak Harbor.