The necessity for a safe space geared toward children, teenagers, and young adults is obvious in any large city such as Hartford. Youth, especially boys and girls of color (although not exclusively), may be be continually exposed to (if not traumatized by) negative factors such as violence in their neighborhood. While school can sometimes provide a temporary reprieve from these types of negative environments, this is not always the case and the school environment can be a continuation from their home environment. Additionally, the cutting of services and positions in Hartford Public Schools and the Department of Social Services, has created a situation of increased vulnerability for Hartford youth, since the city will be trying to do “more with less” i.e. with less staff, programs, and money.
With all these factors (and more) in mind, there is void for a unique community space, where youth can go to aside from the home and school. This is most important in the afternoons and evenings between school and returning to their neighborhood, and it is also very important during the summer months when school is out. The LXY Community Center will fill this void by being a unique community space for the youth of Hartford and downtown Hartford in general.
http://www.lxycommunitycenter.org/Donations: 13nvGp3SwhHqfBQMmRepHExdTvMCv5VYUx
