New Jersey high school creates Friday night program to keep students off the streets and out of trouble

A New Jersey high school transforms into a hangout spot for teens on Friday night called Lights On program.

Lights On Friday Night Program

The goal? To provide a safe space for the students.

West Side High School in Newark stays open for students with the ‘Lights On’ program where kids can shoot pool, play video games and basketball, and even get creative in a recording studio. The school also provides a hot meal.

Students say the program keeps them safe and out of trouble, and their principal agrees.

“Anything that keeps me off the streets, I’ll do. Besides, selling drugs and stuff, I’m not into that,” one student says.

“I haven’t lost any more kids to gun violence since the start of the school year,” Akbar Cook, Principal.

Community led

The ‘Lights On’ program is also held three nights every week during the summer. It’s funded by donations from the community and alumni.

The initiative at the New Jersey high school was created by a former student who feels the program could have saved lives when he was in school.

A free laundry room was installed at the school last year which increased daily attendance by 10 percent.