There are precious few third places to exist that don't have a hefty price tag attached, especially for youth. Third places are spaces to socialize that aren’t home and work or school. Some examples are libraries, the gym, coffee shops, and community centres. In our current profit-centred world, third spaces are rapidly shrinking. Together let’s fight against the deprioritization of community spaces!
Where do you go when you're not at work or school?
If your answer is nowhere, you’re not alone. It isn’t easy when a lot of third places can get costly. With the current cost of living, not everyone can afford that. There aren’t many free third places left except for the public library and community spaces.
To see a thriving third place in action, look at the ecosystem of a library. Where else can you go to read, use free wifi, or attend events with zero pressure to spend money or leave at a certain time. Many spaces now want you to pay to use the bathroom.
With the current loneliness epidemic, third places are more essential than ever. They are spaces where we can hang out and feel connected with our local communities. That’s why we’re so excited to feature this charity in our HOPE Volleyball SummerFest lineup…
The Door!
The Door is a drop-in centre where youth can co-exist and develop the skills to become caring community members. It is a safe harbour for youth where everyone is welcome — no matter someone's home life or financial situation, they have a space to socialize and attend fun events. Adults tend to have more options for places to hang out but youth-centred spaces should not be an afterthought.
The Door offers a plethora of events and programming. There’s something for every type of person. There are Homework Clubs and Career Days for the dedicated students. A Young Chefs Program for the aspiring Master Chefs. Or Girls Night with the full, pampered spa treatment for the self-care girlies. As the only youth centre in Centretown West, The Door fills an essential need in the community.
