From CRC to Club 513: Local rec centers offers safe, fun place for teens to bond

WELL, TONIGHT, A CLOSER LOOK AT AN INITIATIVE TO GET CINCINNATI TEENS OFF THE STREETS AND INTO A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT. THE CINCINNATI RECREATION IS HOSTING UNIQUE LATE NIGHT EVENTS AT TWO REC CENTERS. WLWT NEWS FIVE’S KARIN JOHNSON HAS THE DETAILS AND JOINS US FROM THE HIRSCH REC CENTER IN AVONDALE. THIS LOOKS LIKE YOUR TYPICAL GYM AT A CINCINNATI REC CENTER RIGHT NOW, BUT COME TOMORROW NIGHT, THE CRC IS TURNING INTO CLUB 513 DURING SUMMER BREAK, 16 YEAR OLD DANIEL GRIFFIN WORKS AT THE HIRSCH REC CENTER SO HE CAN BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY. I FEEL LIKE THAT’S WHAT WE NEED, A BOND WHERE EVERYBODY YOU KNOW, IT HELPS THE KIDS A LOT. A BOND WITHOUT THOSE CONNECTIONS. HE KNOWS HOW EASY IT IS FOR TEENS TO END UP IN TROUBLE OR ON THE STREETS. SO DANIEL IS ENCOURAGING OTHERS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHAT THE CRC IS OFFERING EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT. THIS ENTIRE SPACE WILL BE IN A CHANGED OVER INTO A NIGHT CLUB FOR THESE KIDS, COMPLETE WITH A DJ AND A 360 PHOTO BOOTH. THE POOL PARTY WILL LAST BEYOND SUNDOWN. WON’T CLOSE UNTIL 11. THE BEST PART? NO PARENTS ALLOWED IT TAKES YOU BACK, LIKE TO THE 90S. LIKE MY MOM AND DAD ERA WHERE THEY’RE ALL OUTSIDE PLAYING. IT TAKES YOU BACK TO THAT ERA OR IF YOU WANT TO GO BACK TO THE 70S, TEENS CAN ENJOY THE BLACK LIGHTS AND CHILL ROOMS. FOOD TRUCKS WILL PROVIDE DINNER AT NO COST TO THE KIDS ON THE LOWER LEVEL, WE HAVE SEVERAL BREAKOUT ROOMS. THIS FIRST ROOM HERE WILL BE CONFIGURED TO BE FOR AN ESTHETICIAN AND HAIR BRAIDING AND A BARBER WILL BE ON HAND GIVING CUTS ALL NIGHT LONG. IT’S A GOOD THING FOR THE KIDS TO COME OUT, HELP US STILL BE ACTIVE. NOT DOING THINGS WHEN YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO DO. AND THESE REC AT NIGHT PROGRAMS ARE HELD AT TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS HERE AT THE HIRSCH REC CENTER IN AVONDALE AND ALSO AT THE LINCOLN REC CENTER IN THE WEST END. AND AGAIN, GUYS, IT’S ALL FREE. I’LL TELL YOU WHAT, IT’S A GAME CHANGER. KAREN JOHNSON, WLWT NEWS FIVE