Mayor Joseph P. Ganim
Bridgeport, CT
For Immediate Release For More information:
May 19, 2017 Dalmarys Matos (203) 333-2843
Dalmarys.matos@bridgeportct.gov
-Press Release-
Mayor Ganim Attends Lighthouse ‘Motown’ Rehearsal and Announces Dedication of $250,000 for Summer Youth Initiatives
Watch Mayor Ganim practice for ‘Throwback Motown Style’: https://www.facebook.com/joe.ganim.330/
BRIDGEPORT, CT – Mayor Joe Ganim joined The Department of Youth Services and Lighthouse students at the Klein Auditorium this week to announce the availability of $250,000 to support summer youth initiatives. The summer youth initiatives gives local organizations or individuals access to the $250,000 in funding to create organized youth programs, like that of Lighthouse. Tickets for Lighthouse’s performance of ‘Throwback Motown Style’ are available now. The show is Friday, May 19, 2017 at 7:00 P.M. at the Klein Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605.
“The launch of these programs is terrific news for the young adults in the community of Bridgeport,” said Mayor Ganim. “I am so thankful for the support of the business and nonprofit community in aiding our efforts to provide a safe and enriching outlet for our young people. Through these funds we will employ approximately one hundred Bridgeport young people between the ages of 14-24. We will also be able to fund other meaningful activities for hundreds of other young people in the summer months.”
Another one of these initiatives includes Youth Champions where youth and young adults between the ages of 14 and 24 are connected with jobs, quality programs, activities and/or services during the summer months. Youth Champions was designed to give youth employment opportunities to learn a skill and gain real work experience. The program is expected to employ approximately 100 youth with the help from companies and organizations in the area. Youth will be interviewed and divided by their interest to fill the variety of positions available. Participating businesses and organizations thus far include: The Audubon Society, Mayor’s Conservation Corp, and City of Bridgeport Public Facilities Department.
Director of Youth Services Tammy Papa said “While the Department of Youth Services has been instrumental in providing young people with employment opportunities for the past 20 years, we are most excited that this will be the second year in a row in which the Mayor and City Council have allocated additional funding to support local individuals and organizations providing valuable services to our city’s youth.”
This Summer Youth Initiative opens the doors for similar establishments or individuals to receive funding to create their own summer activities for youth. The Bridgeport city council recently approved a budget of $250,000 to aid in the success of these programs. Applications to gain access to the funding will be reviewed and processed by a selection committee and through the city’s Department of Youth Services. For more information, community organizations are asked to contact the Youth Services Department at 203-576-7252. Applications are due Friday, June 2, 2017 at 4:00 P.M.
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