A group of churches around Benton Harbor is getting more active and working with young people to help them stay in the community and grow into successful adults.

The city’s Legislative Committee this week heard from the Berrien County Association of Churches, a non-profit that serves as the fiscal agent for the Benton Harbor Success Movement. Representatives were there to seek a charitable gaming license so they can hold bingo events at their building at 200 East Empire Avenue.

The group’s Linda Allen told the committee they’ve started working with young people, getting them job training.

“What we’re trying to do is actually build our young people so at the end of their lifetime, they’ll come back in the city,” Allen said. “That’s our hope, that’s our dream. We want to keep them here, but we want to keep something here for the youth.”

For example, Allen said the association has taken young people down to Notre Dame to work in the concession stands so they get some experience. The group’s Andre Palmer said they’re also networking with other organizations.

“So we’ve already built partnerships with entities that have been blessing fathers, and we’re dealing with young ladies, we’re dealing with all levels of youth and other organizations,” Palmer said. “So this just adds to the layer of things that we’re trying to do.”

Benton Harbor Success is seeking the gaming license so it can hold bingo at 200 East Empire to raise funds for its activities. The committee moved the license forward, sending it to the full city commission to consider at its next meeting.