The township, city, or state, should try to get government funding to rent , and make a designated “hang out” place where they have mentors, activities, and more. They may already have this for the general population, so the Jewish communities should get together, raise money, and create such a place for Jewish kids. Coed, or not, some kids as young as 12 or 13 and up, have no place to go, especially when they feel neglected by their Rebbis, family, and town.
Some years ago a great, great man, Rabbi Twersky, was the only one who took notice of the lost teens, and helped so many people out, and I personally know a Rav of a shul, who may not have been there if it had not been for Rabbi Twersky. He was a very special man, there are few like him around now days.
The point is, if we shun these kids, and pretend the “problem” doesn’t exist they may never be able to reach their potentials in life.
Israel has a place like this for lost or confused teens, and they have made a major difference in some of these children’s lives. Instead of doing drugs, getting drunk or who knows what, they were in this safe contained place. There should be more places like this in the U.S.
-We should raise awareness to our communities, and start creating such places!