Latest news with #KatherineGilmoreRichardson
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Community evening resource centers open for youth as school year ends
The Brief Philadelphia leaders are fighting to save our streets as youth violence becomes a top concern this summer. A roundtable discussion was held Tuesday night to discuss ways to keep young people safe. FRANKFORD - Keeping kids safe as the school year comes to an end is top priority for city leaders. They gathered Tuesday evening to remind parents and children of CERC buildings, or community evening resource centers, where kids can safely gather. What we know There are six CERC buildings around the city. The community evening resource centers are open from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week. What they're saying 10-year-old Paradise Stewart is enjoying cheer practice at Unique Dreams. It is a community evening resource center in Frankford. "It is fun and you get to meet new people," she said. Her mother, Carolyn Steward, says both her daughters and son have used the center. "Without this program I don't know where half of these kids would be at," she said. Councilmember At-Large and Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson led a press conference Tuesday evening. She is reminding families about the six CERC buildings that are available around the city. "You don't have to sit home and do nothing. Doing nothing is not an option," she said. The message comes ahead of this Friday, which is the last day of classes for the School District of Philadelphia. "To our young people who are having challenges, we want you to know that we want to support you and we want to help you," said Councilmember Richardson. These centers provide a safe space with free activities, food and transportation for kids who need it. "Hear me very clearly. We will not tolerate bad behavior this summer," she said. Angenique Howard is the president and founder of the Unique Dreams program which she created in 2019 and brought to CERC. "This is our VR, virtual reality room. Game room," said Howard who says they help 35 to 40 youth a night. "You can come here to get a meal, you can come here for workshops, we can help you work through some issues, and you can come here for family services," said Howard. Big picture view CERC buildings are open seven days a week from 7 p.m. until 2 a.m. "Podcasting, video games, cosmetology classes, basketball, our Cameras with Cops program, which is awesome, drone programs and so many more activities," said Councilmember Howard. Police in the 15th District say it is helping to make a difference. "This place gives opportunities to young folks to get them off the streets and it's been a really positive impact for our district," said Captain Marques Newsome. These resource centers are also used as a place to take kids found on the streets after the city curfew until parents are contacted. Kids 13 and under must be home by 9:30. The curfew is 10 p.m. for kids 14 to 17 years old. What you can do For more information, visit the CERC website, here or the city's website for youth summer activities, here. The Source Information for this article was provided by the Philadelphia Police Department and Philadelphia City Council members.
CBS News
11-06-2025
- CBS News
Philadelphia City Council leaders working to provide safe, accessible activities for youth this summer
Inside 1 of the 6 resource centers in Philly providing safe activities for children this summer Inside 1 of the 6 resource centers in Philly providing safe activities for children this summer Inside 1 of the 6 resource centers in Philly providing safe activities for children this summer Just weeks after a deadly shooting at Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia City Council is working to provide safe and accessible activities for children this summer. A lot is happening under one roof at 4704 Leiper Street in Philadelphia's Frankford neighborhood. Inside, there are gaming rooms, a basketball gym, a cosmetology room for hair and makeup lessons, a podcast studio and even a kitchen serving hot meals. The building is a community evening resource center run by Unique Dreams Inc., and it's open every day to neighborhood kids, giving them a safe place to be and things to do. Bryce Natson, 15, is one of the many who find joy hanging out here every day. "I mostly would be staying home, honestly, just be staying home, being on my phone, but coming here is having fun and doing stuff that you always wanted to do," Natson said. With summer break starting Friday, city leaders are encouraging youth to spend their time at one of six centers across Philadelphia. "Doing nothing is not an option; you must do something this summer to occupy your time," Katherine Gilmore Richardson, a majority leader in Philadelphia City Council, said. The centers offer more than just fun. They include conflict resolution programs and support curfew enforcement, all aimed at keeping kids safe and reducing gun violence, especially during the summer when, statistically, shootings tend to increase. "Anyone under the age of 13 must be home by 9:30 p.m. Anyone between the ages of 14 and 17 must be home by 10 p.m," Richardson said. Last summer, more than 1,000 kids were picked up after curfew. Police can drop them off at these centers until their families arrive. Parents said this has become like a second home for their kids. Many say that without the resource center, they don't know how they'd keep their children off the streets and out of trouble. "I love these people like they're family. They take care of my kids. This is a second home, I trust them," one parent said. The resource centers keep young people focused and away from negative influences. "We recognize what needs to be done and we do it," Mr. K, with Unique Dreams, Inc., said.
