Mayor’s Village Initiative Launches 2019 Teens Unite Summer Series

West Palm Beach, FL (June 6, 2019) On Saturday, June 8, the City of West Palm Beach will launch the 2019 Teens Unite Series! – a free series of summer events for youth ages 12 to 18. This program was created in collaboration with several youth development programs and community centers in the north end of the city, such as Gaines Park Community Center, Coleman Park Community Center, Pleasant City Youth Empowerment Center, Salvation Army Northwest Community Center, De George Boys & Girls Club, Urban Youth Impact, Norton Museum of Art, Digital Vibez, The West Palm Beach Police Department & The Police Athletic League. Teens Unite will take place every Saturday June 8th-July 27th from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The events will feature free social activities, such as music & dancing, pool parties, video games, creative workshops, movies, basketball, a talent showcase, and more! Teens Unite falls under the umbrella of the Mayor’s Village Initiative (MVI), an initiative that focuses on creating opportunities and reducing violence of African American boys and young men in the city.

“Our ultimate goal is to keep our youth safe. The Mayor’s Village Initiative intends to change their life outcomes by creating more opportunities and offering a variety of services to our youth.” said Kevin Jones, Coordinator of Community Initiatives.

Teens Unite will bring together youth from different communities that have historically experienced conflict. The event offers youth an opportunity to have fun in a safe environment and potentially discover similarities that can prevent violence. “Providing programs that offer a safe space for our youth is imperative to bringing the community together and offering opportunities to all within our city. We look forward to the positive impact Teens Unite will have on the youth of West Palm Beach,” said Mayor Keith James.

Teens Unite! will be held at a different location each week:
The event takes place from 7-10 P.M.

June 8th Pool Party!
Gaines Park Community Center
1501 N. Australian Ave., West Palm Beach

June 15th
Pleasant City Youth Empowerment Center
501 21st St., West Palm Beach

June 22nd -Youth Alive Program!
Salvation Army Northwest Community Center
600 N. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach

June 29th
Coleman Park Community Center
1116 21st St., West Palm Beach

July 6th
De George Boys & Girls Club
4105 Pinewood Ave., West Palm Beach

July 13th
Salvation Army Northwest Community Center
600 N. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach

July 20th-Pool Party!
Gaines Park Community Center
1501 N. Australian Ave., West Palm Beach

July 27th
De George Boys & Girls Club
4105 Pinewood Ave., West Palm Beach

For more information about Teens Unite or The Mayor’s Village Initiative, Contact Kevin Jones at
(561) 822-1413 or kljones@wpb.org.

Interested in scheduling an interview with Mayor Keith James? Contact Kathleen Walter at
(561) 815-2785, or kwalter@wpb.org

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ABOUT MVI
The Mayor’s Village Initiative was developed as a result of the high violent crime rates almost exclusive to young African American men in the North End of the City of West Palm Beach, specifically in the neighborhoods of the Historic Northwest, Coleman Park and Pleasant City. Comprised of City of West Palm Beach staff, community leaders, community members and local organizations, the Mayor’s Village Initiative is a collaborative multidisciplinary strategy to prevent and reduce youth violence and improve outcomes for African American boys and young men in the three target neighborhoods.

ABOUT THE CITY OF WEST PALM BEACH
The City of West Palm Beach partners with our communities to preserve and enhance quality of life through an extraordinary focus on service. West Palm Beach is a vibrant, resilient, inclusive and safe world-class city.