- Photo by Andrew Firestone

Open house introduces youth organizers to the neighborhood

By Andrew Firestone

Teenagers aren’t usually the ones advocating for civic participation and social change but that’s not the case on lower Broadway.

Teen Empowerment opened its doors to the youth of Somerville Thursday inviting local residents and businesses o their new headquarters at 165 Broadway.

One of Teen Empowerment’s new youth organizers, Jose Rubio said he was thrilled to get to help his community. “[Teen Empowerment] gives a voice to youth; it lets them be heard,” he said.

Some of the young activists said the recent death of Matthew Krister, a 21-year-old Somerville man shot to death after allegedly opening fire on police serving an arrest warrant, had upset their friends.

“The community is hurting, there’s a lot of healing that needs to happen,” said Marlon Ramdehal, the director of programs for Teen Empowerment in Somerville. “These kids are the key to having that happen.”

- Photo by Andrew Firestone

For at least that night, the course appeared to be clear. Up on stage, members of Teen Empowerment rapped original lyrics and the whole room seemed in a groove. “It’s nice to see all these different faces, you know?” said former youth organizer Cullen Cicero. “People you don’t normally see together.”

The party brought a smile to the face of Stanley Pollack, the executive director of Teen Empowerment who claimed that as bad as things were, they were much tougher when he started back in 1974. “You couldn’t even hold an event like this without there being a fight,” he said, remembering the vicious drug problems of the times. “You’d be lucky if you lived through it.”

Teenagers at the event said gang violence is a major community problem they hope to address.

The Teen Empowerment center will be open to youth around the city, and the youth organizers will continue to sponsor events that build community.