Politics & Government

An Exciting Evening at the Weymouth Teen Center

Between 90 and 110 students spend Friday evenings at the Weymouth Teen Center. The resource provides games and other activities in a safe, friendly environment.

It's just after 5 p.m. on Friday and there are about 80 students milling around at the Weymouth Teen Center, 1393 Pleasant Street. Kathy Collins from Weymouth Youth and Family Services says it's a slow night for the 16-year-old teen center.

There is a semiformal for underclassmen at Weymouth High School tonight, so about 40 regulars will likely not be stopping by between 2 and 9 p.m. The Teen Center, which is free for Weymouth residents in grades six through 12, is open Monday through Thursday as well, closing at 6 p.m.

On this reportedly slow evening, the energy is high. In the Big Room, the lounge on the second floor of the former police station, a group is listening to music in one corner, others are gathered in front of a big screen TV playing video games, another teen strums an electric guitar in front of a few friends, while still others bounce around, joking and taking.

"What I like to see here," Collins says, scanning the Big Room. "is them interacting socially."

There is plenty of social interaction. Cheryl Picariello, Collins' coworker at Weymouth Youth and Family Services, points out that kids who might not interact at school, hang out here.

"They're just accepted," said Picariello. "They know they can come here and be themselves."

One of the kids being themselves on this particular Friday is wearing a horse head mask, another has bunny mask on and he's engaged in a normal conversation. No teasing. No bullying.
Around the center, which was shut down all last year for a major $250,000 renovation, there are things to do. At about 5:30, kids start lining up by the snack stand. The pizza has arrived, and they can get a slice for a dollar. Collins says the other snacks are also cheap. She doesn't like making money off the teens.

There's also a fitness room on the lower level. It's quiet tonight, but it's usually bustling on weeknights when the Teen Center draws between 25 and 40 people.

On Friday, several kids are playing pool on bright blue billiards tables. One of the players is Jimmy Ryan, a special needs student who rarely misses a Friday at the Teen Center. Ryan says is riding a "ginormous" win streak in pool.

"I like to come here and play some pool," said Ryan.

Last week, the center held a talent show that brought in 111 teens. Ryan told some jokes during the show and got a standing ovation.

Back in the Big Room, sophomore Kevin Flaherty and junior Peter Villodas look perplexed when asked what they'd be doing if the Weymouth Teen Center didn't exist. 
The consensus is probably nothing. "There's nothing in this town at all," said Flaherty, who spends most evenings here.

The Teen Center allows them to do what they want, whether it's play ping pong, XBOX 360, or sit and talk. The two full-time staff members for Youth and Family Services are walking around, addressing students by name, as are the department's three college interns. A volunteer is watching the desk, as all teens who come here must return a permission slip and sign in and out.

There are basic rules, (no threats, no drugs, PG-13 language), and for the most part, the adults in the room are doing a lot more conversing than scolding.

While the centrally-located facility has a proven popularity with the target clientele, the community has identified it as a worthwhile investment. Most of the furniture and equipment has been donated. The Friends of the Teen Center donated $18,000 before it disbanded after last year's reopening.

Then there is the Town of Weymouth. Collins said Mayor Susan Kay is a big supporter of the Teen Center. The town's faith in the center is evidenced by the quarter million dollar investment last year.

"I can't say enough about the town government," said Collins. "They've really come through for these kids.

The Weymouth Teen Center separates itself from similar facilities with its staff. Collins and Picariello are full-time employees of the town that oversee the Teen Center whenever it's open. 

While volunteers may come and go at other places, the Youth and Family Services staff in Weymouth have been steady. Collins has been at the center since it opened in 1998 and Picariella has been on the job for 14 years.

"Consistency is huge with kids," said Collins.

Consistency, from the staff, the community and the students who spend their time here, have made the Weymouth Youth and Family Services Teen Center a unique and valuable resource for the town. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Weymouth