Youth Action Board Townhall: Third Places
The Youth Action Board hosted a townhall attended by community partners from the entire state to share why they feel third places are important, how they benefit and support youth, and their recommendations for creating a youth-focused third place. Watch the entire video here to hear more from them and their recommendations.
Third Place Advocacy Resources
A third place is a gathering spot that is separate from one’s home (known as the first place) and one’s place of work or school (the second place) where people can socialize, form connections, access resources, hangout and more. Some examples of third places are: libraries, parks, and community centers.
The 2024-2025 UpRISE Youth Action Board made up of youth aged 13-20 from across Colorado decided to focus their advocacy efforts on third places because they saw a connection between lack of third places and lack of belonging, increased isolation, and substance use including tobacco and nicotine use.
Game Materials:
The Future of Third Places Game is an imaginative, table-top game that guides young people through envisioning the ideal third place or places to support youth in their community. This game was created by Dr. Danielle Littman at the University of Utah, and the 2024-2025 Youth Action Board provided input to personalize the game to youth in Colorado. This game is a wonderful resource to support youth in getting creative to imagine the future of third places in their community.
Stop card
World building card
Personal expertise card
Community request card
Idea log