In its fourth year, the Summer Late Nights program served a record number of teens, with safe spaces where they found community in their neighborhood. 

Since starting in June 2023, Summer Late Nights has welcomed students to supervised sites across Tacoma for five hours a night, every weeknight of the summer. They got to do what teens like to do – hang out with friends, eat, and just be themselves.  

Participation in Summer Late Nights was the strongest ever:

• 1,986 unique middle and high school students participated this year, a 47% increase over last year 

• 12,117 total visits were logged, almost double last year’s total of 6,617, illustrating that after kids showed up the first time, they liked it enough to keep coming back

• An average of 247 teens attended each night

• Over 12,000 meals were served, almost double last year’s meals

Why does Summer Late Nights matter? 

Summer can be an especially challenging time for young people and their families. Students lose access to the daily routines, trusted adults and meal programs available during the school year, while families may face increased food costs and fewer affordable options for supervised evening activities. 

At schools and Boys & Girls Club sites across Tacoma, Summer Late Nights helped bridge that gap by giving teens a welcoming place where they ate dinner, spent time with friends and participated in activities under the supervision of trained staff and mentors, offering kids a place to shoot hoops, participate in art and music activities, hang out, and play video games or sports free of charge. 

Locking arms for our community
Recently, local elected officials visited Summer Late Nights at the Stewart Middle School site to meet students and see the program in action. They noted the remarkable partnerships that support this program and the impact it has on the community’s youth.

“Supporting young people is a shared responsibility,” said Alisa Lee, Parks Tacoma Board Vice President.

Tacoma City Council member Sandesh Sadalge agreed, noting that programs like Summer Nights foster connection and safety.

Tacoma Public Schools Board Vice President Chelsea McElroy remarked that the number of students who participate in Summer Late Nights is an obvious indicator of Summer Late Nights’ growing success, and that programs like this are a group effort.

“We are so grateful to partners across the city for stepping up and stepping in,” she said. “This is working.”

“It’s a pleasure and honor to invest in our kids,” said Pierce County Councilmember Rosie Ayala.

Background
Summer Late Nights was created in partnership between Greentrike, Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound, Parks Tacoma, YMCA-Pierce & Kitsap Counties, Tacoma  
Public Schools and several youth program providers, following a rise in youth gun violence and a call from then-Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards and other local leaders for immediate investments in initiatives designed to help keep young people safe.

This crucial program is funded by a combination of government and private philanthropic dollars, and those dollars need to continue if this program is going to continue.