It Takes a Village is GR’s Summer Programs for Teens
It’s a Friday night in July, your 14 year old is circling the kitchen, and the plan so far is nothing. No practice, no friends free, no money to go anywhere. This is the exact gap the Grand Rapids is trying to fill.
The city is running three free programs this summer called “It Takes a Village,” just for teens ages 12 to 17. The city runs it as a violence prevention effort, but it doesn’t feel stuffy.
It’s community building in the form of basketball, recording studios, open mics, free food, and adults who are glad the kids showed up and are hoping to give kids something safe and fun to do to keep boredom from setting in because that’s when trouble tends to creep in.
The program runs Friday and Saturday nights all summer, and it’s free.
Last year more than 400 teens took part, attendance held up all summer, and a bunch of them said they wished it ran even more nights. That’s a pretty good sign for any teen program.
How “It Takes a Village” Works
There are three core programs this year, and they each have their own location and flavor: City Vibes, Nightquest, and Freestyle Fridays. They all include food.
Nightquest. You can expect 5 on 5 basketball, other team games, music going the whole time, and giveaways. There’s also family resource support on site for anyone who needs more than a game that night. Food and light refreshments included. Note: All participants go through security screening. No backpacks. LifeQuest Urban Outreach Gym, 1050 Fisk Rd SE. Fridays & Saturdays, June 8 to September 9, 5:30 to 7:30 PM
City Vibes. Inside you’ll find gym and outdoor games, chess and board games for the chill crowd, a video game suite, and movies and music going in the background. There’s also some light college and career exploration plus life skills and cultural activities. Food and refreshments are free. Notes: Registration and parent or guardian consent required. Security provided by GRPS. No backpacks. Gerald R. Ford Academic Center, 851 Madison Ave SE. Fridays & Saturdays, June 12 to August 8, 6 to 9 PM
Freestyle Fridays @ MUSE GR. Music, art, & self expression. This is a creative hangout. The lineup includes live DJs and music experiences, recording studio access and music production training, hands on art and creative projects, and open mic time for poetry, spoken word, or whoever wants the mic. There are also conversations about entrepreneurship and creative careers for kids who want to turn the hobby into something. Free food, prizes, and giveaways too. Notes: Registration required. MUSE GR, 727 Leonard St NW. Fridays, June 12 to July 31, 6 to 9 PM.
Quick Comparison
| Program | Location | Schedule | Key activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Vibes* | Gerald R. Ford Academic Center, 851 Madison Ave SE | Fri–Sat, June 12–Aug 8, 6–9 PM | Sports, board/video games, movies, college/career, free food |
| Nightquest | LifeQuest Urban Outreach Gym, 1050 Fisk Rd SE | Fri–Sat, June 8–Sept 9, 5:30–7:30 PM | Basketball, team games, music, family resources, food |
| Freestyle Fridays* | MUSE GR, 727 Leonard St NW | Fridays, June 12–July 31, 6–9 PM | DJs, studio access, art, open mic, entrepreneurship, food |
City of Grand Rapids Announcement on It Takes a Village
For more information about It Takes a Village programming, contact the City of Grand Rapids Office of Oversight and Public Accountability at OPA@grcity.us.
