Chicago teens addressed elected leaders at City Hall about large gatherings and possible solutions during a subcommittee hearing on Wednesday afternoon.
Several teens from different parts of Chicago got a chance to share their testimonies and experiences, which they hope will inform any ordinances the City Council will weigh amid the so-called “teen trends.” They also talked about the lack of opportunities in their neighborhoods and how they want to see more safe spaces for them to go after hours.
“There’s so many organizations that have so much funding, but it really doesn’t do anything for the teens that need places to go after hours,” said 16-year-old Cherish Smith from the city’s Austin neighborhood.
“We’re not just asking for miracles or handouts we’re asking for opportunities that we deserve and when you give us, we don’t just take it we transform it,” said Damarrion Spann, My Block, My Hood, My City youth leader.
The founder of My Block, My Hood, My City said his organization has been working to provide programming, activities, and safe spaces for teens to gather. Many of the teens he said want to feel as though they belong.
“Every time you make kids feel welcomed, connected, accepted they rise to the occasion,” said Jahmal Cole, the group’s founder. “Last year we had over 800 kids come downtown for downtown day, we had no issues at all. The issue is really not investing in the neighborhoods.”
Romya Simone from Communities United echoed the need for so-called “third spaces” for teens to gather in a safe manner.
“We belong in this city, and we needed places that we can truly belong, and we can feel like we can heal,” said Romya Simone, Communities United youth leader.
“They took all the free spaces from us and they expect us not to go to the beach and go downtown, but there’s nowhere for us to connect and meet new people,” said Fabian Walker, GoodKids MadCity youth peacekeeper, added.
Mayor Brandon Johnson has talked about the role parents should play in stopping gatherings from getting out of hand. One parent told NBC Chicago it should be a community effort.
“If we need to be out when they’re out then we need to change our hours from when we work as an organization to fit the schedule of your youth,” said Zerlina Smith. “When they say hold the youth accountable, hold everyone accountable, not just the parents—hold the community accountable.”
The hearing was led by 26th Ward Ald. Jessie Fuentes. She’s the chair of the subcommittee on youth employment. She told NBC Chicago this is a first of a series of conversations that could help drive legislation and funding for after hour spaces and funding.
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