After an early release school day Friday, Veterans Plaza in downtown Silver Spring became a youth block party.
The second annual “Buckets and Beats” block party had a DJ, activities for youth like basketball and art activities, and resource tables.
“It was really fun,” said Arsema Girma, eighth grader at Takoma Park Middle School.
Buckets & Beats youth block party in downtown Silver Spring @mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/mt3aAeWcLs
— Maryam Shahzad (@maryam_mcm) September 27, 2024
The event was hosted by County Council Vice President Kate Stewart and the Silver Spring Regional Services Office.
“The heart of this is really about having spaces where our young people can come, hang out, enjoy themselves, connect to what we have here in the county and really just enjoy downtown Silver Spring,” said Stewart, who is the district 4 councilmember representing Silver Spring. “There’s a lot for young people to deal with these days, there’s a lot of stress and other issues and we really want to create spaces where young people can be themselves and enjoy it.”
“We recognize that young people are strengths in our community, they’re assets, and when they’re out of school they need fun things to do and so we want to celebrate the young people of downtown Silver Spring and the surrounding Silver Spring region,” said Jacob Newman, director of the Silver Spring Regional Services Center.
Friday was an early release day for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).
Our county partners were in full force connecting our Ss to much needed resources. Big thxs to @cmkatestewart & her staff 4 providing a safe space on a 1/2 day of school. I took buckets & beats to a whole new level. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/o8Sixr6nuD
— Shebra Evans (@ShebraEvans) September 27, 2024
