PHOTO BY PAULA MULLER
Joseph Tolentino, left, and Stanley Hernandez play basketball at Marshall Middle School on Friday night.
BY LEAH DEARBORN
LYNN — The new Thurgood Marshall Middle School is a safe place for kids to beat the heat on Fridays.
The Youth Drop-In Center at 100 Brookline St. is open Friday evenings from 6-10 p.m. and runs through Aug. 26.
“We’re trying to keep kids active and busy in a safe environment,” said Lisa Nerich, associate commissioner, Department of Public Works. “Kids come in, socialize, meet new friends, play some basketball.”
Nerich said the free program, which serves at-risk youths ages 13-19 for a dozen years, improves the neighborhood and keeps Lynn youths occupied. All kids who attend are registered with the program and there are four police officers on the premises to check the bags before entering. Youths must sign in, stay within a designated area and cannot re-enter the school after they leave.
“It’s a safe place,” said Sgt. John Geary, who was on duty at the center. “We check to make sure no one brings any weapons or contraband. They’re usually well-behaved. The majority of kids come to play and socialize.”
The positive interactions at the facility foster better relationships between the youths and police, he said.
“He’s my homie,” said Jaru Allah, an 18-year-old North Shore Academy graduate and center regular, as he put an arm around Geary.
Nerich said that the number of participants has increased over the years, with an average of 80-125 youths per night. It was a smaller than average crowd on Friday, with only 19 youths gathered by 8 p.m.
Skip Coleman, a Lynn Police lieutenant, said he thought the group was small because the center just moved from its location at KIPP Academy and many regulars coming from West Lynn haven’t realized that it moved yet.
“It’s also just a really hot one out there,” he said.
Basketball was clearly a favorite activity at the center, with the majority of attendees joining in a game or pausing to eat some of the free pizza provided.
“There is one girl always here who really plays basketball with the boys,” said Geary when asked about whether the center typically attracts more of one gender than the other. “She’s here and playing all hours.”
The Drop-In Center will continue through the fall at the Lynn Vocational Technical Institute field house.
“It’s just to play ball,” said Joseph Marquez, 17, of KIPP Academy, when asked why he attends the program. “It’s better than staying home and doing nothing.”
Fellow attendee Yvenson St. Hilaire said that the program helps them stay out of trouble.
Nerich said that a number of guest speakers have taken part in the program over the years, including former New England Patriot Jermaine Wiggins, police officers and reformed former gang members.
“I think it’s a great program,” said James Irving, who along with Kathy Gallant donated the night’s pizza from the Lido Cafe. “It’s a great place for the kids to hang out.”