Seattle Parks and Recreation celebrates 30 years of the Teen Late Night Program

Seattle Parks and Recreation celebrates 30 years of the Teen Late Night Program
Free community event recognizes youth program which serves over 30,000 participants annually

Thu, 11/14/2019

information from Seattle Parks and Recreation

Join Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Teen Late Night Program at Rainier Community Center (4600 38th Ave. S) from 7 p.m. to midnight on Friday, December 13. Community members of all ages are invited to enjoy free food, activities and performances, including music, card tournaments, volleyball, dodgeball, ping pong, dominos, basketball and more, as well as a raffle with prizes.

SPR’s Late Night program provides a safe and supportive environment for teens ages 13-19 and serves over 30,000 youth annually. This recreation-based program is held on Friday and Saturday evenings from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. at nine locations across Seattle with a focus on positive teen interactions and engagement where all teens are welcomed. The Late Night Program is aligned and supportive of the City’s Race and Social Equity framework, including education and employment readiness programs. 

SPR’s Late Night Program started in 1989 in response to a rise in youth gang activity and violent crime. Since its origin, Late Night has included at-risk youth in planning the program’s content. Late Night aims to support young people in developing and exploring the values of trust, self-esteem, consistency, respect and integrity. Late Night has provided recreation opportunities, peer support and positive role models over several generations. Today, many of the staff who currently lead the Late Night program are former participants. 

Late Night is available at the following locations:

  • Van Asselt Community Center (Friday only)
  • High Point Community Center (Friday only)
  • Bitter Lake Community Center (Friday and Saturday)
  • South Park Community Center (Friday and Saturday)
  • Rainier Community Center (Friday and Saturday)
  • Rainier Beach Community Center (Friday and Saturday)
  • Southwest Teen Life Center (Friday and Saturday)
  • Meadowbrook Teen Life Center (Friday and Saturday)
  • Garfield Teen Life Center (Friday and Saturday)

More information about SPR’s teen programs is available here: https://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/teen-programs

Robinson Papers
West Seattle Herald