KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The City of Kalamazoo has been expanding summer youth programs for several years, thanks to the Foundation for Excellence.
This summer, with a big boost from COVID-19 federal relief dollars, they plan to make it the most spectacular summer yet. The goal isn’t just to keep the kids entertained, but to keep them out of trouble. Kalamazoo Public Safety Chief Vernon Coakley says that includes preventing youth violence.
Coakley is expanding the city’s Police Athletics League, while the Parks Department has hired someone to coordinate the effort full time.
Meg Blankevich with Kydnet, is taking bids from non-profits who want to offer activities, and their goal is to attract as many new kids to the program as they can.
Agencies have until April 29, 2022 to get their proposals to Kydnet.
New Parks Director Patrick McVerry says that’s just Phase one. Phase two will introduce a whole new set of programs this fall.
City Commissioners have just authorized the use of $1 million from their ARPA allocation for the summer programs and may allocate more if enough worthy programs surface.
Comments