Chattanooga and its partners are coordinating multiple events to give the city’s young residents options for safely gathering during the Thanksgiving break.
Programming is free and open to students and families as part of the community’s collective efforts to bring together and empower young people and families during school breaks.
“Youth empowerment and mentorship programming is essential to helping our young people turn away from violence and build the healthy values and relationships they need for a successful future,” said Chris Sands, interim executive director of Community Safety and Gun Violence Prevention for the Chattanooga Office of Community Health.
“That’s why we are continuing to work closely with our community partners to ensure local students have access to programming during school breaks. We saw great success with the Fall Break event lineup and are excited to bring youth together safely over Thanksgiving break, as well.”
Free Thanksgiving Break Events for Youth and Families
Wednesday, Nov. 23
• Bowling Party for Teens: Splitz Alley; 7-9 p.m.
Hosted by: The Office of Community Health and Safety, the Chattanooga Police Department, the Chattanooga Fire Department, Excellence Over Excuses and the Lighthouse Collective
• EPB Holiday Window Unveiling: Enjoy the sights of the winter holiday at the EPB building and Miller Park starting at 5 p.m. Displays will be open to the public through Jan. 6.
Hosted by: EPB
Friday, Nov. 25
• Reindeer on the Riverfront: Ross’s Landing; 4-8 p.m.
Hosted by: Chattanooga Presents! in association with River City Company
• Black Friday Hang-Out and Block Party for Teens: Slim and Husky’s; 7-9 p.m.
Hosted by: The Office of Community Health and Safety and the Lighthouse Collective
Sixteen of the City’s 18 Community Centers will also be open to youth and families on Wednesday from 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
In July, Mayor Kelly released his administration’s Roadmap to End Gun Violence in Chattanooga, which includes actions to both stop the current cycle of violence on city streets and prevent it from returning in the long-term. Youth mentorship and empowerment initiatives represent one of the roadmap’s major violence prevention strategies, among many others, and the city has already taken steps to increase youth programming city-wide.
During Hamilton County Schools’ Fall Break, the City and community partners together hosted a series of seven events for youth, which contributed to the lowest number of juvenile-associated cases involving firearm assaults or seizures reported during Fall Break for the last four years.
As part of the One Chattanooga Relief and Recovery Plan, the city is also investing $3.7 million in federal funds into nine public safety initiatives that will empower young people and help build a safer future for the community.