When one thinks of teenagers congregating in any space, it might generate some anxiety.

Teenagers are in that awkward space, where they feel too old for family events and too young for bars and clubs.

But give any person purpose, and a safe space to express themselves among peers, and that can be a powerful recipe for an early appreciation and cultivation of community.

On Aug. 21, the Parkway YMCA, located on Centre Street in West Roxbury, hosted its Boston After Dark event. The Boston After Dark party is an initiative by the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement of the City of Boston to create a safe space for youth, 14-18, running all summer long.

The next Boston After Dark event will be at the Boston Centers for Youth and Family (BCYF) Curley in South Boston. Some of the past events included paint nights, pool parties, rollerskating and movie nights. The idea is to simply create havens for teens to gather and enjoy themselves in either the YMCA or the BCYF.

The Parkway YMCA night began inside the room nearby the swimming pool, with Latin food provided for the teen employees along with an assortment of colorful sodas. Many smiled and laughed as they angled their chairs towards their friends, nibbled on their food, and chatted.

It should be noted, at least for this point in the night, there was not a smartphone in sight. Upstairs in the basketball court shooting hoops with their peers, youth threw long aggressive Jason Tatum like shots as a DJ spun tunes in the corner.

“It’s great to get all the teens together in one space,” Associate Executive Director of the Parkway YMCA Colleen Ortiz said. “A lot of them are youth employees from across the city. Seeing them here is great. Finally getting to enjoy themselves since they worked all summer.”

She said she enjoyed witnessing them build friendships and community. For some, they continue working at the Y into the fall while for others the job is limited to the summer. Jobs include working in summer camps, child watch and others work on the fitness floor, front desk, and aquatics department.

“We train and onboard them so they develop the needed skills.”

Mia Joyce of Roslindale and Julie Macdonald of Jamaica Plain have been working at the YMCA for about four years and this fall they both head off to UMass Amherst.

“Personally, this event is like an ending party for us. It ties everything together,” Macdonald said.

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“You see people here and there. This event brings everyone together in one space,” Joyce said.

Both Joyce and Macdonald also spoke of the connections with the staff and they said they are both grateful to have a chance to bond with everyone to have a meal and share moments.

“We loved our YMCA experience. We’ve made so many connections and we can always come back,” Joyce said.

“You don’t just leave. You’re a part of it. It’s great the city of Boston want to give jobs to the youth,” Macdonald added. Joyce compared this event to National Night Out in that it fosters community spirit and goodwill. She attended the Roslindale iteration of that event.

Twin sisters Vivienne and Juliette Sullivan of West Roxbury said they enjoyed celebrating the end of summer and how hard they have both worked. Both couldn’t stop smiling. Seated next to them was Eliza Kargbo who though more subdued was equally enthusiastic in sharing her experiences in the pool offering swimming lessons. “It’s fun to meet new children and be a part of something,” she said.

In the parking lot, was an Ultimate Mobile Gaming (UMG) truck where many of the teens went to after the meal. Cushioned benches lined the truck and two giant TVs were on either side as kids played games while the onlookers looked hooked. Coach J, of UMG, said he loves working for a company that thrives on making kids happy.

For many people, work is more than just money to add to a checking account, it also provides community, support and structure. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu tripled funding for youth jobs since 2021, which has made a great impact on youths across the city, according to reporting from The Boston Globe.

But following the last City Hall budget meeting, the youth job budget will be cut drastically for the upcoming fiscal year as people across the nation are suffering at the hands of Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill and his other drastic decisions. The summer youth jobs will still be in effect but some of the yearlong city-funded jobs may be cut. Perhaps things will change after the midterms.

For more information on how to get a youth summer job contact futurebos@boston.gov.