Somerville To Offer 3 Dedicated Spaces For Teens This Summer

SOMERVILLE, MA — Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and Somerville Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper announced last week that the city will open three temporary spaces for teens this summer while officials work towards building a permanent Teen Center.

Each site will provide space for teens to relax and socialize, as well as events and activities, connections to services, and access to social workers.

The sites will operate through the Somerville Public Schools, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Somerville Public Libraries. The city will use American Rescue Plan Act funds to support the sites at Edgerly and Powderhouse Park.

“The community has been calling for a teen center in Somerville for decades and our teens can’t wait any longer,” Ballantyne said in a statement. "We’ve heard student input in a variety of venues. They told us they want safe, fun, and accessible spaces where they can be themselves. They want options across the city so that all teens can enjoy them. We’ve heard their feedback and are providing three temporary spaces while we explore more long-term possibilities.”

Here are the three locations that will be available for teens this summer:

• Somerville Public Library (SPL), Central Branch (79 Highland Avenue): The Teen Room at the Central Library offers manga, comics, and popular teen fiction in a welcoming, comfortable space. Summer programs include weekly lawn games, video game nights, a summer reading challenge with prizes, and more. Open during regular Central Library hours. Ages 13+.
• Edgerly Education Center (33 Cross Street): Starting Monday, June 13, the Edgerly Education Center will offer a dedicated space for teens with crafts, snacks, games, and more. Enter on the Otis Street side. Open weekdays, 2:30 to 8 p.m. Ages 14+.
• Powderhouse Park (838 Broadway): Starting Tuesday, July 5, teens are welcome to spend summertime afternoons at the Powderhouse Park building. Drop by for food, activities, creative programming, and more. Open weekdays, 2:30 to 8 p.m. Ages 14+.

Over the summer, Somerville will begin efforts to identify a permanent home for a Teen Center while engaging teens in the process of creating and shaping the space.