What is now known as “Middle Earth” actually began in October, 1969 through a counseling session between a local church minister and a 15-year-old girl. It was determined that a substantial number of teenagers were spending a significant amount of their time on the “street,” experiencing failure in the home and in school. To address this issue, a weekly meeting in the church basement was created between two ministers and approximately 35 young people that the young girl had pulled together. This continued for three years, while the volunteers grew to ten in number. In June, 1972, Middle Earth became incorporated. The agency started with $3,000 in the bank and a commitment of $2,000.

Middle Earth was created in direct response to the expressed needs of youth at risk, and the agency continues to evolve to address emerging community needs and partner with other community organizations. While Middle Earth really began as a drop-in center to provide youth with positive alternatives to “hanging out” on the streets, the agency has greatly expanded its scope of services and collaborations with schools and community-based agencies over the years in an effort to prepare youth for a responsible adulthood.