Downtown Crossing: Shopping Center or Local Youth Hangout?

I recently read an article in the Boston Globe about how plans to revitalize Downtown Crossing through the construction of new office buildings, retail stores and high-end lofts and condominiums are causing many youths in the city to seek alternate "hang-out" spots.

Often referred to as "Boston's Meeting Place," Downtown Crossing was once the central artery of the city's shopping and leisure. While the area continues to be a hub of foot traffic for tourists and locals alike, the feel of it has changed significantly over time. Many storefronts remain vacant, homeless people nestle in empty doorways and packs of youth use the area more often to loiter than to meet.

But according to the article, many of the youth don't just loiter; they yell, fight and in some cases intimidate shoppers. And since an October 3 incident involving an open fire and two stabbings, officials have called in more police officers to patrol the area to keep order and curb incidents of crime.

The hope is that these young people will find a new place to congregate, so that Downtown Crossing can fulfill the vision of many as being a safe and thriving shopping center. But as one of the young teens quoted in the article mentioned, "We come down here to enjoy ourselves...Where else are we going to go?"

After reading this article I got to thinking: even if we vacate the Downtown Crossing area of crowds of youth, they're going to go somewhere. But the question is-where? Will it be the kind of place that will help them reach their full potential? Chances are not.

Unless that is, we intervene and provide them with alternatives-safe places to go after school. Places where they can hang out with their friends and meet new ones. Places that will help them with their homework, and allow them to explore new interests like art, music and media. Places where they're connected with a caring adults who will give them advice or just listen to what's going on in their lives. Places that will help get them or keep them on road to success.

What's important is connecting youth with afterschool and out-of-school time programs that will enrich their minds and provide them with structure, matching youth with mentors and other caring adults, making sure that those adults have the skills needed to keep youth engaged and focused on the future. It's at the core of United Way's work to make sure that there is a connection between what’s going on in school and out-of-school so that there is consistency.

We've making real progress and have seen impressive results, but we know that our job is far from finished. Over the next years we hope to reach more youth, like the ones in Downtown Crossing, so that we can build a solid foundation for the next generation of leaders.