A group of Jacksonville pastors and community leaders spent the weekend bringing teens, parents and mentors together for what they called a \u201cTeen Weekend of Hope\u201d \u2014 an effort organizers say was created in response to the rise in teen takeover events across the city.<\/p>\n
The weekend included a town hall Friday night, an entrepreneurship day Saturday, and community conversations focused on giving teens a safe space to speak openly about what they need.<\/p>\n
Organizers said the idea came after months of seeing large gatherings of teens across Jacksonville that have sometimes ended in fights, arrests and police intervention.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe saw the teens getting in trouble and just looking for things to do,\u201d said Pastor Delores Beamon, YoungLife area director. \u201cWe decided that we needed to talk to them instead of just continuing to put on programs. Let\u2019s bring them together and find out what they need.\u201d<\/p>\n
In recent months, Jacksonville law enforcement agencies have responded to multiple teen takeover-style events across Northeast Florida, including gatherings at Jacksonville Beach, Friendship Fountain, Blue Cypress Park and area malls.<\/p>\n
While many of the gatherings involve teens socializing, some have escalated into violence, reports of gunfire and large police responses.<\/p>\n
But organizers behind the Teen Weekend of Hope said they wanted to focus on outreach instead of punishment.<\/p>\n
\u201cInstead of us doing the talking, we\u2019re listening,\u201d said Pastor Glenn Foreman of Zion Hope Missionary Baptist Church. \u201cWe\u2019re hearing what they\u2019re saying.\u201d<\/p>\n
Community advocate Kanice Hoffman said one of the biggest concerns teens raised during the weekend involved mental health support and communication with adults.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the biggest things that we heard this weekend was they want a voice, and they want a safe space to be able to speak out,\u201d Hoffman said. \u201cThey also asked specifically for mental health resources.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoffman said teens also expressed frustration about feeling unheard by adults.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey want a platform for parents not just to talk at them, but also listen,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Organizers said that feedback shaped many of the weekend\u2019s events, including panel discussions and entrepreneurship opportunities designed to expose teens to mentorship and career pathways.<\/p>\n
Foreman said many teens are searching for connection and support.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of the takeovers has just been them speaking out,\u201d Foreman said. \u201cInstead of pushing them away, we\u2019re saying, \u2018Hey, come on, tell us your story. Tell us what you\u2019re struggling with and how can we be an influence?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Organizers described the weekend as only the beginning of a larger effort.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now, it\u2019s just the beginning,\u201d Hoffman said. \u201cLiterally, the ground floor, day one, and we\u2019re going to continue to grow it because even the teens and the parents, they\u2019ve already asked for more.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pastor Beamon said she hopes the event reminds teens and families they are supported.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope that they see that there is hope,\u201d Beamon said. \u201cThere are people that care. There are opportunities, there is growth, and that the city as a whole cares about them.\u201d<\/p>\n
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