The Social Sphere, a nonprofit group located in Brickyard Park Plaza, seeks to offer tweens, teens and families socialization opportunities. These include regular events and workshops that introduce visitors to a variety of topics, such as this self-defense class.

ADAMS TWP — Tweens and teens like having a place to hang out after school or on weekends.

The challenge often is finding a safe place to let them meet.

That's why Cranberry resident Katy Duckstein and her mom, Kristen, decided to open the Social Sphere in Brickyard Park Plaza, south of Mars Borough.

The goal of the nonprofit center is to provide young people with opportunities that expose them to social, educational and vocational interactions.

Katy said the idea started with Kristen when Katy and her friends were teenagers.

“She came up with this idea,” Katy said. “She was always worried about us going to the mall.”

The center, a nonprofit, opened in April as a combination workshop and event space, with times dedicated specifically to different age groups.

It's something of a social “speakeasy” in a pandemic-driven environment, according to Katy.

That doesn't mean Social Sphere fails to follow safety steps.

It means Katy and Kristen are striving to build community connections between people and businesses that have been isolated over the last 14 months.“People need this,” Katy said. “People need this now.”The center already has had a number of community workshops to that end, according to Katy.These are a collaboration between the center and local businesses or groups. Katy said registration costs go toward keeping the center open and active.So far, the events have ranged from financial literacy and candlemaking to self-defense. Katy said the center always is open to event suggestions.“Any way that we can help anyone,” Katy said.

The center has dedicated family and adult game nights. There also are regularly scheduled evenings for homeschoolers, middle-schoolers and teenagers to hang out or do volunteer work.All access fees and donations cover the center's expenses, Katy said.Katy said though Social Sphere already has a number of dedicated visitors, she's hoping other tweens and teens discover the center in the next few months.“We're hoping over the summer we'll get more,” Katy said.Short-term, Katy said she hopes the center becomes a place where families and kids are comfortable making friends in a safe environment.Long-term, Katy and Kristen hope to expand the center to offer areas designed specifically for artistic, outdoor, recreational and educational pursuits.“We're trying to prepare these teenagers to be adults,” Katy said.More information about Social Sphere is available online at www.social-rev.com/location-and-hours.