The Issue 

Third spaces have for decades been the silent epicenter of society. Sociologist Ray Oldenburg described these spaces as community centers, parks, libraries, recreation centers, and local gathering places. Social environments outside of home and work where people build relationships and communities. These places are where friendships form, where mentors appear, and where young people learn how to exist in a community beyond the walls of their home or school.

Yet today, we are failing our children. We live in nostalgia for the “good old days,” remembering when neighborhoods had places to gather, play, and grow up together, while simultaneously not giving the next generation the ability to create their own memories. As third spaces have become scarce and criminally underfunded, many young people are left without safe places to spend time, connect with peers, or engage with supportive adults. Without intentional investment in these spaces, we have youth turning towards crime as their pastime. 

Youth crime is something that the City of Rochester, NY is all too familiar with and is why its inhabitants and the current administration needs to take action in ensuring equitable funding, resources, transportation and spaces in all neighborhoods in Rochester for children to be in.

Youth crime in Rochester

Throughout the last decade, there has been a notable increase in juvenile crime and incarceration in Rochester NY. This increase reflects broader social problems tied to the school to prison pipeline. Risk factors like exclusionary school discipline, child poverty, and unsafe school environments contribute to the alienation of our youth, pushing vulnerable kids out of supportive environments, and into the justice system. Data over the past 5 years demonstrates the rising severity of this issue. As of 2024, there were a total of 620 juvenile arrests, in 2021, youth related shootings reached 60 incidents, setting an all time high for the entire decade. In 2023 over 100 juveniles were arrested in stolen vehicle cases. In 2023, adolescents accounted for one third of the 3,800+ motor vehicle thefts reported that year.

Survey data from Rochester City School District shows that many students report feeling unsafe at school, and report experiencing some level of violence. Rochester needs to invest in solutions that will support our children rather than punish them. 

Third Spaces as a whole 

As clearly demonstrated above, crime and incarceration rates among youth are alarmingly high. These rising rates are concerning and heartbreaking for what it means for the experiences and futures of our youth today. A trajectory that needs to be addressed and one powerful way to do that is to implement more third spaces in the community for youth today. An overwhelming amount of research clearly displays how access to third spaces for youth can have a profound impact on social outcomes, crime reduction, improved mental health and support systems for and involving youth. A study published in August of 2025 displayed that the presence of third spaces reduced the likelihood that a youth with experience a violence related ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experience) by 61%. Studies have also shown that programs held in third spaces or recreational centers for youth have made a measurable reduction in crime rates, one study showing an 18% reduction in total arrests, a reduction in drug related arrests by 40% and a 43% reduction in arrests involving violent crime.

Third spaces have been shown to strengthen social ties in neighborhoods, and improve community health and safety. Based on this research, it is paramount that presence of third spaces be implemented to help support the health and safety of not only just our youth, but our entire community as a whole.  

The people have spoken

Centers like the Carter Street R-Center in the 14621 neighborhood, the Thomas P. Ryan Recreation Center in Beechwood, the Frederick Douglass Recreation Center in Southwest Rochester, the Maplewood Family YMCA and Lewis Street YMCA Youth Center in Maplewood and Northeast Rochester, the Baden Street Settlement in the Upper Falls area, and Prosper Rochester are showing what strong third spaces look like in action all over Rochester. 

Reviews across the board mention that “friendly staff”, “safe space for kids”, “structured activities”, and a “sense of belonging” are important for young people and a sense of relief for the guardians. These things directly deal with the risk factors that lead to crime by people under 18: being alone, being around violence, and not having a mentor.

Studies on routine activities theory and positive youth development indicate that when adolescents have regular access to organized after-school programs, supportive adults, skill-enhancing activities, and secure recreational opportunities, the incidence of delinquency and hazardous behavior diminishes. 

These centers help keep kids safe during times when juvenile crime is most likely to happen (after school and early evening), help kids learn how to control their emotions through sports and mentoring, connect families to wraparound services, and build community, all of which make it less likely that teens will commit violence or property crime. 

The Solution 

We are advocating for expanding funding for existing recreation centers, building new youth spaces across the city, and creating reliable bus routes to allow students to access supportive spaces when home is not a viable option. “Third spaces” strengthen a community and provide ample opportunity for kids to stay engaged and out of the justice system. To address the social issues we must address the infrastructure thats fostering them.

Adding more third spaces like this to Rochester neighborhoods that don't already have them would not only give kids a place to hang out, but it would also be a crime-prevention strategy based on prevention science, fairness, and giving people power in their communities. 

It's time to hold the current administrations accountable and demand change now to give these kids a better future.