As rain pelted Philadelphia on a recent July evening, 24 young people kept dry and busy playing pool and video games. Since it was “police engagement night” at the Community Evening Resource Center, they were also chatting with officers, who capped the night by serving scoops of fruit-flavored water ice.

The kids, ages 10 to 17, were at the center in Germantown. It’s a place where some voluntarily show up seven nights a week to do arts and crafts, STEM projects, learn about music and video production, conflict resolution and self care, and eat dinner. At or around the stroke of 9pm, they receive rides home.

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Dameia Day, 13, s

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