The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation (LA County Parks), in partnership with various LA County departments, announced the expansion of the Our SPOT Teen Center’s free programs and extended hours at all 16 teen center locations across LA County Parks. This expansion is part of the Summer Beat initiative, offering teens and youth even more opportunities to connect, have fun, and thrive throughout the summer and beyond.
“Teens deserve safe spaces where they can be themselves, build skills, and feel seen,” said Norma E. García-González, Director of the LA County Department of Parks and Recreation. “With the expansion of Our SPOT, we’re not only extending hours, but we’re also expanding possibilities. This is about investing in youth, uplifting communities, and creating equitable access to opportunities through meaningful programming, mentorship, and support.”
Our SPOT is a dynamic, high-energy after-school teen program designed to serve BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) youth in underserved LA County communities. These safe, welcoming centers support teens academically, socially, and emotionally through engaging and meaningful programming. With this expansion, LA County is increasing access to free sports, hot dinner meals, mentoring, wellness activities, and homework assistance, particularly during critical after-school and evening hours.
“Supporting vital initiatives like Our SPOT is a powerful way to ensure LA County youth have the opportunity to flourish and build a better future for our communities,” said David J. Carroll, Director of the LA County Department of Youth Development. “By incorporating our youth development partners into the Our Spot program, we increase access to resources available to youth throughout the county. We know that when young people have access to the opportunities and resources they need to thrive, their outcomes improve, and their justice system involvement decreases.”
These enhanced services, plus extended Our SPOT hours from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM, are possible with the support of several Los Angeles County partners – Department of Youth Development, Department of Probation, Department of Public Health’s Substance Abuse Prevention and Control, and the Department of Mental Health. This initiative enhances youth development and evening diversion services in high-need areas, including the San Gabriel Valley, East LA, South LA, and the Antelope Valley.
“Providing enriching environments for youth during critical after-school hours is a proven prevention strategy that reduces the risk of substance use and supports healthy development,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “Substance use among youth negatively impacts the growing adolescent brain and can result in poorer academic, social, and health outcomes. As we face the worst overdose crisis in history, creating safe, youth-centered spaces is more important than ever. The expansion of Our SPOT Teen Centers strengthens our collective efforts to give teens across LA County access to the tools, resources, and relationships they need to build healthy, successful futures.”
Some of the parks housing the teen centers are EARVIN MAGIC JOHNSON Park, EAST RANCHO DOMINGUEZ Park, FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT Park, MONA Park, and LOMA ALTA Park, to name a few.
