Teen Late Night programs provide positive connection

If you have a teen in the house, you’re likely already aware of the night owl effect—like the bird, most teens seem to be habitually active at night. Let’s blame hormones.

Whatever the reason for the teenage evening energy boost, research indicates it’s better to give them a place to go and something positive to do than leave them to their own late-night devices. And that’s what Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) and now Metro Parks Tacoma and its nonprofit partners are doing.

A long history of supporting teens

In Seattle, the parks department has partnered with the Seattle Police Department since the 1990s to provide late-night and other programs for teens ages 13-19. Today, the city serves teens through its Youth Employment and Service Learning program, linking youth to service-learning and community service opportunities in their local neighborhoods, and the Seattle Mentors program, which connects young people with one or more caring adults and exposes them to potential future careers.

“Our youth deserve safe, supportive environments to learn, grow, and reach adulthood, and it will take an all-of-society effort,” Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has said of the mentorship program. “I never want any child in Seattle to feel like they need to leave here one day to find opportunity.”

Thousands served

Seattle’s teen Late Night programs are the third leg of the city’s teen trifecta and operate in eight locations. Last year more than 9,000 teens participated at Late Night sites. The recreation-based, year-round program is typically held on Friday and Saturday evenings from 7 p.m. to midnight and fodcuses on positive teen interactions and engagement.

“Rather than a cookie-cutter approach, SPR strives to have Late Night programs that reflect the desires and needs of teens in those communities,” says Seattle Parks and Recreation spokesperson Christina Hirsch. “The program’s goal is to enrich the lives of Seattle youth, create opportunities for success, and provide positive alternatives to drugs, gangs, and other undesirable activities.”

Hirsh adds that Seattle’s teen Late Night efforts are aimed at youth most prone to harmful behavior.

Building positive relationships

“The program is also designed to build positive relationships between police and teens that carry over into their interactions outside of the program,” Hirsh says. It’s also a partnership between the city and local efforts like African American Leadership Forum Northwest, the YMCA’s Alive & Free Program, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of King County’s SE Network SafetyNet Program.

Tacoma’s program—Tacoma Summer Late Nights—is also a collaboration of numerous organizations, many of which have previously offered similar programs. The collaborative effort provides youth a safe place to connect every weeknight from June through August at 12 locations. Last year, the city passed a resolution providing $200,000 to support the 12 locations, plus $100,000 for programming. According to news reports nearly 1,700 teens made 12,000 visits to the program last summer.

The Tacoma program runs from 5 to 10 p.m. at each site and has welcomed thousands of young people since its launch last year. Teens are invited to make music and art, play sports, and gain leadership skills each night.

Adults on hand to support youth

Seattle and Tacoma teen Late-Night programs have adults readily available to work with, connect with, and mentor youth.

In Seattle, where each Late Night program is part of an individual community center’s budget, Hirsh says at least one Seattle Police officer or community service officer is always on hand at each location, a crucial part of program safety. Program staff are also trained in Wyman’s Teen Outreach Program (TOP). This nationally recognized, evidence-based program guides them in empowering teens with the tools and opportunities to build social-emotional skills, strengthen relationships, and avoid risky behaviors.

Listening to youth interests

Equally important, Hirsh says, Seattle’s Late Night programs try to offer what teens in the communities they serve are interested in. For example:

The Garfield Community Center program has a barber that provides free haircuts on Fridays.
Meadowbrook Community Center’s program has a music studio.
Programs offer a variety of activities such as cooking and fitness, citywide events like Youth Appreciation Week and Week without Violence), and drop-in basketball.
In alignment with Mayor Harrell’s Seattle Mentors Initiative, the Evolving Entourage mentorship program was added to Late Night programs at Rainier Beach, Garfield, Meadowbrook, and Bitter Lake community centers.
As part of the Swim Seattle Initiative, Seattle Parks offers Late Night Teen Swim at Rainier Beach Pool and Meadowbrook Pool on Fridays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The swim program serves as a potential pathway to employment as a lifeguard.

If your teen attends

Below is the list of sites for Seattle’s Late Night programs. Note that all participants must fill out an E-13 form to participate.

Seattle Parks and Recreation officials encourage calling ahead to ensure that the Late-Night Program is open before showing up.

Garfield Teen Life Center, 428 23rd Ave, Fridays from 7 p.m. to midnight. For updates, check out Garfield Teen Life Facebook.
Meadowbrook Teen Life Center, 10750 30th Ave NE, on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to midnight. Learn more at Meadowbrook Teen Life Facebook.
Southwest Teen Life Center, 2801 SW Thistle St (enter the south side of the building), on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to midnight. Updates at Southwest Teen Life Center Facebook.
Bitter Lake Community Center, 13035 Linden Ave N, (206) 684-7524. Fridays and Saturdays, 7 p.m. to midnight
Rainier Community Center, 4600 38th Ave. S; (206) 386-1919. Fridays and Saturdays, 7 p.m. to midnight.
Rainier Beach Community Center, 8825 Rainier Ave S, Fridays and Saturdays, 7 p.m. to midnight.
South Park Community Center at Concord International Elementary School, 723 S Concord St.; (206) 684-7451. Fridays from 6:30-10:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 3:30-8:30 p.m.
Van Asselt Community Center, 2820 S Myrtle St; (206) 386-1921. Fridays, 7 p.m. to midnight.