City OKs funds for summer youth programs
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Columbus City Council has approved about $8.6 million to support dozens of programs aiming to keep kids busy and out of trouble during the summer months.
Council received 200 applications, according to Councilmember Nancy Day-Achauer. She said the city can fund 90 of those.
"It gives kids something to do in areas that are of interest to them," she said.
One of the nonprofits that is receiving funding is the Highland Youth Garden (HYG) in the Hilltop. It teaches kids about gardening, allowing them to grow along with the crops.
“Why gardening? Gardening is at the heart of who we are as people," HYG Executive Director Shelly Casto said.
HYG's summer program for teenagers is called Green Teens, a nine-week program where 15 teens will work in the garden, learn about what it takes to grow food, staff the market, and learn about career readiness.
“We really know how to reach young people," Casto said. "Even when they think they don't want to be outside, they think they don't want to dig in the dirt, in fact, most do, and we can make that a positive experience for them."
Casto said the program often sprouts interests in teens who previously were not interested in gardening.
Other groups that received funding offer activities related to arts, athletics, music, workforce development, and more.
“By providing this great variety, kids can find something that interests them and when they can get engaged in things they find interesting, they’re less likely to be just hanging around doing nothing," Day-Achauer said.
Day-Achauer and Casto said the hope is all the efforts will keep kids away from crime over the summer.
“Summer for a garden and for working with youth is a really important time," Casto said.