Warehouse 508

I’m not a kid anymore, but if I were, this is where you’d find me most afternoons and weekends. Music, mural painting, poetry slams, art exhibits, skate park, hip hop concerts, screen printing, graphic design and fashion classes — if it’s creative, it’s here, and it’s exclusively youth-​focused. I’ve partnered with 508 in a professional capacity for years, and always notice how relaxed and at home their «clients» seem to be. It’s a place where youth are respected for who they are and where they’re at in life, and they’re given a creative, safe and supportive venue and resources to express themselves. 508’s partner organization, NMXSports, offers ski trips, zombie runs, and a ton of other ways for youth to stay active and get outta their homes for a good time. 508’s drug and alcohol free, positive, gleefully chaotic environment offers an inclusive experience for all youth — and they do it all on a shoestring budget! Wish they had more resources to promote the incredible range of what’s offered here, and maybe make some of the classes fully accessible to those with extremely limited finances, but again – shoestring budget, I get it. I would feel safe sending a tween or teen kid here if I had one. I always run into former students here, and recognize what a significant role this venue plays in supporting their evolution. Mad props, 508. Keep up the good work.