A sense of belonging is one of the Teen Center’s key outcomes. The new Rec Room supports that outcome by giving teens an indoor space to relax, play games, and spend time with friends. Staff recently asked members about their experience at the Teen Center, and their responses show that the Rec Room is already adding value for members and strengthening their connection to APCH.
A Space of their Own
Before the Rec Room opened, the Teen Center had classrooms, and teens who wanted to hang out had to do so outside. Now they have a comfortable room with games and plenty of seating, where they can talk with friends and decompress after a long school day. One member put it simply: “The space is positive, the rec room is chill.”
Members also said they value how calm the room is. “I go in the rec room because it’s calm, I can talk to my friends, there’s a lot of comfy seats so everyone has enough space, I can do my own thing without being overstimulated.” Another credited staff directly: “I really appreciate that Mr. Matt made the rec room because it gives us a space to play games, sit down, and chill out.”
Feeling Welcome
Members describe the Teen Center as a place where they are welcomed, heard, and treated with respect. “My first day here I was welcomed with open arms, the space is very welcoming. It’s not hectic, they allow me to take my time.”
Connection and Self-Expression
The Teen Center draws teens from several schools, and the Rec Room has become a place to meet new people. “I get to meet new friends because so many people come in from other schools and we all have a safe space to hang out in.” Members contrast it with the school day. “It’s different from school because there is more freedom at APCH to have fun and be a kid.”
Because members can drop in on the days that work for them, the Rec Room fits around school, sports, and jobs. This semester, 21% of teen visits were on a day the teen wasn’t enrolled in a class, showing how members are using the new drop-in spaces. One member said that dropping in “after practices sometimes gives me a space to unwind and see faces that I wouldn’t be able to see at school or elsewhere.”
