A group of Jacksonville pastors and community leaders spent the weekend bringing teens, parents and mentors together for what they called a “Teen Weekend of Hope” — an effort organizers say was created in response to the rise in teen takeover events across the city.
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.
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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.
“We saw the teens getting in trouble and just looking for things to do,” said Pastor Delores Beamon, YoungLife area director. “We decided that we needed to talk to them instead of just continuing to put on programs. Let’s bring them together and find out what they need.”
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.
While many of the gatherings involve teens socializing, some have escalated into violence, reports of gunfire and large police responses.
But organizers behind the Teen Weekend of Hope said they wanted to focus on outreach instead of punishment.
“Instead of us doing the talking, we’re listening,” said Pastor Glenn Foreman of Zion Hope Missionary Baptist Church. “We’re hearing what they’re saying.”
Community advocate Kanice Hoffman said one of the biggest concerns teens raised during the weekend involved mental health support and communication with adults.
“One 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,” Hoffman said. “They also asked specifically for mental health resources.”
Hoffman said teens also expressed frustration about feeling unheard by adults.
“They want a platform for parents not just to talk at them, but also listen,” she said.
Organizers said that feedback shaped many of the weekend’s events, including panel discussions and entrepreneurship opportunities designed to expose teens to mentorship and career pathways.
Foreman said many teens are searching for connection and support.
“A lot of the takeovers has just been them speaking out,” Foreman said. “Instead of pushing them away, we’re saying, ‘Hey, come on, tell us your story. Tell us what you’re struggling with and how can we be an influence?’”
Organizers described the weekend as only the beginning of a larger effort.
“Right now, it’s just the beginning,” Hoffman said. “Literally, the ground floor, day one, and we’re going to continue to grow it because even the teens and the parents, they’ve already asked for more.”
Pastor Beamon said she hopes the event reminds teens and families they are supported.
“I hope that they see that there is hope,” Beamon said. “There are people that care. There are opportunities, there is growth, and that the city as a whole cares about them.”