Mark Graves sat in his car in the parking lot at Phelps Park in south Minneapolis on a recent afternoon, looking out at an empty basketball court, one that normally would be bustling with activity.
"I've never seen anything like this," he marveled.
Now in his 18th year as a director for the Southside Village branch of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities, and his 30th overall with the clubs, there is little Graves hasn't seen.
Whether it be a hand up, a pat on the back or a friendly word, Graves has been there for countless kids with family issues or school problems — a rock in a stream of worry.
But this, this is different.
The closure of city parks, schools, community centers and other traditional gathering places for thousands of young athletes and kids in response to the coronavirus pandemic has befuddled even old hands such as Graves.
"I've seen different hardships from families, helped them through different tragedies. I have lost kids through gang violence. This is the biggest thing I've ever seen," said Graves, his normally confident tone tinged with concern. "There's confusion around what's going on right now. It's kind of devastating to these kids. A lot of them have no clue what's going on. It's hard to take."
For many city kids, schools, parks and clubs are havens. Places to meet up with friends, get a bite to eat, hang out, do something constructive. For much of the past two months, they have been off limits, their sanctuaries chained. Most visibly, after a first wave of park closures in Minneapolis, basketball rims were removed or padlocked to further curb urges to gather.