Midtown’s kids speak out on their lives — the good and bad

The healthier and more structured environments which kids repeatedly cited that as preferred haunts are some of the very programs dangling on thin budget strings: the Hodge Center (recently taken over by the YWCA), Boys and Girls Club, BOCES and the YMCA. Dietz Stadium, the mall, Loughran Park, Van Buren Park and Barman Park were other places listed, but not necessarily equipped to handle lingering kids and teens.

Scary spots

The kids spoke candidly about how not all of Kingston feels safe and inviting to them. Henry Street and Cedar Street were both mentioned. “I hear gunshots sometimes, those places scare me,” said Elijah. “Basically from St. James Street, down to Dunkin Donuts,” explained Julia.

For others, Midtown chaos was the norm. “I’m not really scared of places here,” said Malcolm. “It’s just kind of normal for me. I don’t know any other way.” Another kid cited erratic or dangerous driving and a fear of getting hit by a car.

The very reasonable question, “Are you proud to live in Kingston?” triggered visceral responses.  Many reported loving Kingston, happy to say that they know their way around, they enjoy the food and are appreciative their families are nearby. However, there was a discernable slump in Kingston pride, palpable resentment and overall frustration directed at their own community.

The physical conditions of being “dirty” and “filthy” were listed, along with feelings being unsafe. “[There’s] violence — shootings, criminals on the streets messing with me and my friends,” said Henry. “There are bad influences around me.”

Others described it as boring. More disturbing answers involved ever-present pressures. “Instigators trying to get me to do bad things,” said Ty’Quon. “Physical, emotional, verbal and sometimes sexual harassment,” cited another girl.

Jobs hard to find

With Ulster County’s latest unemployment rate at a staggering 8.2 percent, jobs for teens went from scarce to nonexistent — now more teens than ever are unemployed. The desire to do meaningful work was reflected in last week’s article in which kids were quoted talking about summer boredom and abject purposelessness and their enthusiasm for the cleanup project in which all participants received a $50 store gift certificate for back-to-school shopping.