The facility on Luisenstrasse offers open meeting places, counselling and leisure activities for young people in the city center
The new City Youth Center in Darmstadt was officially opened on Tuesday, September 22nd. Located at Luisenstraße 24–26, offers young people in the city center a consumption-free meeting place as well as recreational, participatory, and counseling services. It is run by the Socially Critical Working Group Darmstadt e.V. (SKA Darmstadt).
The opening marks the end of a months-long development and participatory phase. However, the educational work had already begun in May. Since then, the team has been out and about in the city center, visiting youth hangouts and talking to them about their interests and expectations for the new youth center.
Young people involved in the design
The spaces and services will be further developed in collaboration with the young people. In addition to an open meeting place, the concept includes leisure and creative activities, a girls' room, as well as counseling and play areas.
“I am particularly pleased that the young people were involved during the planning phase and that their wishes and ideas could be incorporated into the development of the services offered,” said Mayor Barbara Akdeniz at the opening. The youth center should be a place where young people can shape their free time independently and contribute their own ideas.
Thorsten Ledig, the educational director of the City Youth Center, also points to the involvement of the young people. Through outreach work, initial activities in the premises, and discussions, the team had already established contacts and received feedback on expectations for a youth center in the city center before the official opening.
Exchange with residents and business owners
The concept also includes networking with the community surrounding the youth center. According to the city, SKA Darmstadt has been seeking dialogue with residents and business owners since the beginning of the development phase, presenting the center's concept to them.
The youth center will be linked to outreach youth work in the city center. In addition to recreational activities, the focus will also be on counseling, support, and opportunities for participation.
Various agencies, in addition to the city and the sponsoring organization, were involved in the implementation of the new location. City Treasurer André Schellenberg mentioned, among others, the landlord bvd Gewerbe, the city's real estate management, the building authority, and the youth welfare office.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/stip)
