The Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS) and Office of Children and Families (OCF) joined the Juvenile Justice Center of Philadelphia (JJC) to celebrate the grand opening of the new Central Community Evening Resource Center (CERC) on August 31. Families and community members gathered for an evening of celebration, including music, art, youth and family resources, and an opportunity to explore the new space at 1632 N. 16th Street!

Group shot featuring the director of the JJC CERC (left), Senator Sharif Street (Left), Councilmember Jim Young (Left Middle), Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson (Left Middle) Left), Jeanine Glasgow (Middle), DHS Commissioner Kimberly Ali (Middle Right), Chief Deputy Mayor Vanessa Garret-Harley (Right Middle), Dr. Gary Williams (Right)

Philadelphia City Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson, who was in attendance, shares, “One of my proudest accomplishments as a Councilmember has been working in partnership with DHS to create the Community Evening Resources Centers. Our young people need places where they feel safe and supported. JJC has been an outstanding partner in this work, engaging thousands of young Philadelphians as the provider for Northwest Philadelphia. I am so excited to welcome JJC into this next phase of the CERCs and see them bring their experience and proven track record to even more young Philadelphians. They have built deep trust in the community and demonstrated a strong commitment to giving our young people the opportunities and support they need to thrive, and we are incredibly grateful for their ongoing partnership.”

Game room on the opening night at the Central Philadelphia CERC.

The new Central CERC is JJC’s second CERC location, building on its work at the Northwest CERC in Germantown, which has served young people and families since 2022. JJC has worked with Philadelphia families since 1976 and will partner with the 9th and 22nd Police Districts to support youth through the new Central location. “Every neighborhood deserves a place where young people feel welcome, families know there are people they can turn to, and the community comes together to help keep its young people safe,” said JJC Program Director Jeanine Glasgow. “Over the past four years in Northwest Philadelphia, we’ve seen what happens when young people, families, community partners, and police spend time together outside of a crisis; trust begins to grow.”

CERCs are free, safe spaces for Philadelphia youth ages 10 to 17 to hang out and make friends. There is no registration required before visiting. At the new Central CERC, young people can access:

  • homework help
  • positive youth development activities
  • workshops and program trips
  • free meals
  • computers and game rooms
  • sports, recreation, and team activities
  • transportation home at the end of program hours.

 “We want young people to know there is always a safe place they can come where they will be treated with dignity, listened to, and take part in fun, educational, and positive youth programming,” Glasgow said. “We want families to know they can count on an evening program that will keep their child safe during the evening hours.”Youth play video games with the program supervisor at the JJC CERC program.

The new Central CERC is located on the second floor of 1632 N. 16th Street, at the corner of 16th Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue, with the entrance on 16th Street. Youth can stop by and participate without registering in advance.

Find a Community Evening Resource Center near you.