After recently having retired as a school district employee, Falber is the director of the WASU – Warren Area Student Union. It’s a position she has held for 25 years to provide a free space for teens to gather, create and socialize. The building located at 330 Hickory St., Warren, was built in 1909 as an armory. It wasn’t until the late 1990s when founders and beginning members, Matt Franklin and Andrew Franklin, later joined by Phil Gilbert and Zack Dickerson, had the idea for a local teen center. They remain involved by being on the adult board. The youth teen center is a non-profit organization that has hosted several annual events with the emphasis being on the teens creating the events.

“Get off your phone and come talk to people face to face,” Falber said.

The fall season is perhaps the WASU’s busiest time of year as the teens prepare for their annual haunted house. It has been running for more than 24 years, Falber said, and more than 500 people usually attend.

Right now, there is a big need for older teen volunteers to help run the Haunted House series. Not only does it run during Halloween, but throughout the month of October. Falber said that without her working in the classrooms anymore to recruit teens to come be a part of this social group, it’s gotten difficult to fill the needed number of volunteers for the success of this event. Those interested are asked to connect soon as haunted house volunteer actors are needed in the evenings starting mid-October on several dates for the weekends throughout the month.

Shown is the Warren Area Student Union building at 330 Hickory St., Warren.

Falber said youth enjoy creating scary scenes throughout the rooms in the building for the haunted house however; since sensory friendly tours were a success in its debut last year, for those who prefer no noises, scares, strobes or screams, sensory friendly tours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 28-29. There are seven other spooky evenings offered beginning October 17.

In preparation for the local event, a planned trip to “Fright World” in Buffalo is set for Oct. 21. Sign-ups are being accepted for youth and adults.

“It’s a fun way for the kids to get ideas for their haunted house,” Falber said.

Coming up ahead of the haunted house, the WASU is holding its second annual “Breakfast with the Ghostbusters” at Warren Eagles Club 313 on Sept. 21. All are invited from 9 a.m. to noon. Tickets are $10 at the door; with a basket giveaway and 50-50 giveaway part of the event.

“Community donations keep us running,” Falber said.

Anyone interested in getting involved with this organization is encouraged to check out the Facebook page or stop in after school (open Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m.) where Falber is waiting to greet youth. There are a variety of recreational activities going on at the WASU, including use of the building’s gym, game and dance rooms, crafts, and even a student-created kids theater program.