Hopeworks Youth Tour Riverfront Prison Site and Ponder the Possibilities!

More than 25 Hopeworks youth walked around the prison and talked about potential ideas for the site. Overall, people were amazed by how close Philly is and thought the water was great. There was much interest in having the path extended along the river. In talking about the site, youth were asked to name one word that summed up what they thought–here is what they thought:
Potential
Change
Big
Constructive
Better
Money
Impressive
Renovation
Expensive
Hope
Jobs
Prisonless
Future
Space
Change
Old
Big
Huge
COmplex
Redemption
Potential

The emphasis on a North Camden Youth Council in which “10-15 teens will provide guidance on future development, planning and neighborhood issues including youth programming” seems to be a return of the proposed youth brigade. What was learned from our last attempt at a youth brigade? Why wasn’t it successful? Why is this effort different?

Are any of the sports leagues focusing on teens? If so, where does this happen (I know the soccer league in PP park), any others?? Many youth I know don’t play sports once they are in high school—why is this?

I also don’t see how the report is taking seriously the transitory nature of the youth who are in the community. Families come and then they go. I don’t see how the targeted youth objectives address this. Are we helping people to stay or to have a quality “stay in North Camden?” What is the report’s relationship with people outside of North Camden? That is, if services are provided to someone and then the family moves to Cramer Hill, is it envisioned that services would continue to be offered?

One of the highest concentrations of youth is located in North Gate I and the low rises. Are they in this report at all?

Just some musings—-see you all tomorrow.