NEW ORLEANS (NOLA WEEKEND) - With kids on summer break, there’s a need for more options to keep them busy and off the streets. That’s where the owner of a new game lounge in New Orleans East hopes to fill an urgent need.
“That’s how the whole idea was formed, just in a conversation of what can we do to try to help a situation that our youth are in dire need of,” Raynard Bender, co-owner of The Hangout NOLA, said.
Bender wanted to create a safe space specifically targeting teens.
“With there being opportunities for young kids, as well as when they’re older, and they’re able to do other things, there’s not really much in the middle,” Bender siad.
It’s an escape with video games, pool tables and other ways to play. But it’s more than just fun and games.
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As a parent, Bender says recent headlines involving gun violence hits far too close to home.
“You shouldn’t be worried about a shooting when you’re going to witness a graduation of your child who you brought into this world,” Bender said.
He says this is his piece towards solving a big puzzle plaguing the city: the recent crime spike impacting New Orleans youth.
“Every time you turn on the news, you get a new update on your phone, you see that someone’s been harmed especially a young child,” Bender said. “It hurts. It hurts, honestly.”
So he hopes his venue becomes a bright spot in his community.
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“Interesting situations are going to happen over here,” Bender said. “And I want to ensure that I can do the best that I can to help curb the negativity that these youth are seeing on a very daily basis.”
One step in his goal towards making positive change.
The Hangout NOLA hosts its official grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sunday, June 26. Teens can access the space for up to four hours on Monday through Thursday. Admission is $10.
The Hangout NOLA officially opens with summer hours on July 5. Hours of operation are noon to 4 p.m. for ages 10 to 13 and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for ages 14 to 17.
Guests can RSVP for the grand opening event via the Eventbrite page. Each RSVP grants guests access to the space for an interactive one-hour tour, between the hours of noon to 6 p.m., with free food and music. The ribbon-cutting takes place at 2 p.m. and a second-line ends festivities at 5:30 p.m.
The Hangout NOLA is located at 9954 Lake Forest Boulevard, Suite 5 in New Orleans East.
For more information, visit the website.
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