MILWAUKEE — Designed to be a safe and welcoming spot, the Teen'n Out lounge will provide teens with a place to hang out, be themselves, and simply enjoy being kids.
I had the opportunity to speak with the lounge’s owner, Sharronn Hart, and her teen daughter, Shaniyah Anderson, to learn more about how this new space aims to uplift and support Milwaukee’s youth.

Sharronn Hart, a dedicated mother of teenagers, was inspired to create the lounge after noticing that many neighborhood kids were frequently seeking refuge at her home. Now, she’s turning her personal experience into a gift for the community.
I asked her what it is that she sees in these young people that others might overlook.
“Potential! They are so creative and talented,” Sharronn Hart said.

Teen’n Out plans to offer a range of weekly activities, including talent shows, game nights, and career workshops led by local professionals. Teens will also have the opportunity to take on leadership roles, helping them build real-world skills and confidence.
Watch: The safe haven transforming lives of Milwaukee teens planned for Hampton Ave
Sharronn is determined to provide an alternative to the negative influences that often pull teens in the wrong direction.

“A lot of teens have the drive to be in the streets. They get a high from that—doing the wrong things, stealing cars. Here at Teen’n Out, we want to give them that same high in a different way, a motivational way,” explained Hart.
The lounge is set to open next Saturday, Feb. 8, and will prioritize safety with support staff both inside and outside the venue. Sharronn Hart chose this specific location because she feels it’s a neighborhood that deserves it and needs it the most.

“I put in a lot of hard work, not just for my kids but for other people’s kids, too. I want to let their voices be heard and let them know that they matter,” said Hart.
Shaniyah Anderson, a 10th grader and one of the lounge’s teen workers, sees this space as a way to rewrite the narrative for teens in Milwaukee.
“We need something like this because, right now, there are a lot of teens doing bad things—jail, deaths. We need this to bring out the teens so we can see who they really are,” said Anderson.

Shaniyah is excited to play a role in making the lounge a success. “I wanna be here all the time. I wanna see people happy, the teens loving it. I want to see them come in a lot. I really like the idea,” she said.
The lounge will feature a variety of activities and refreshments, from board games like Uno and Connect Four to mocktails and slushies, offering teens a fun and relaxing environment.

Sharronn: “It’s just a chill spot, come hang out and know we will pour positivity into you.”
Operating hours will be Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. While the lounge has already gained support from local neighbors, it still needs help from the broader community to fully achieve its mission.
“Everyone screams, ‘It takes a village,’ right? But it’s like, who’s gonna start that village?” said Hart.
To support the Teen’n Out Lounge and its mission to empower local youth, visit this GoFundMepage to donate.
“These teens are our future,” explains Hart with pride.
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