‘You’re not wanted’: Philly teens who feel unwelcome downtown call for more ‘third spaces’ during summer

A group of Philadelphia teens are calling for the city to create more "third spaces" for young people during the summer months, as they feel unwelcome in many public areas. These spaces, other than work or school, serve as social gathering points that experts say can reduce stress, boost confidence, and improve academic motivation.

Riyaz Brown-Cheeseboro, 17, was recently escorted out of a mall mall by security despite merely shopping alone. The mall requires anyone under 18 to be accompanied by an adult after 2 p.m. Similar incidents have occurred at convenience stores, fast-food restaurants, university campuses, and parks.

Kharma Hillian, 19, says she often feels unwelcome in public spaces, feeling that her presence is unwelcome. Recent "teen takeovers" on social media, where large groups of teens gather in public spaces, have led to police involvement in incidents of violence and shootings in other cities.

Local students are working on a video segment for PSTV, the School District of Philadelphia's television station, advocating for more youth-centered third spaces. However, many existing city sanctioned spaces for young people are in poor condition, with some recreation centers and parks in disrepair.

The city allocates far more funding to police than to Parks and Recreation, despite the need for more community spaces where teens feel safe. Improving these spaces could prevent unnecessary police involvement and the potential for youth to get entangled in the juvenile justice system.