New Haven Independent

Along with a neighbor and fellow high-schooler, Caprice Taylor, Harris (pictured) formed the Thompson Street Youth Coalition. People were worried about what kids were going to do over the summer — and whether a rash of shootings would continue to plague neighborhoods like Newhallville.

J.J. and Caprice found ten donors around town to help them launch a summer program for the many kids on their street. Their block alone had 15 kids between the ages of 9 and 12.

Their program was a success. J.J. and Caprice, with the help of volunteers (including J.J.’s mom), kept 15 children busy for six weeks. They took the kids to museums and arcades and organized activities in town.

J.J., now a graduating senior at Metropolitan Business Academy, plans to study computer design next year at Gateway. Before that, he and Caprice hope to run their summer program on a larger scale. They’d like to expand it from four to five days a week and include 30 children. They’d also like to hire an adult at $10 an hour to help the run the program, along with five counselors. The program will have more of a focused curriculum this year centered on electricity, water, and wildlife. (The organizers work with the Solar Youth program.)

The coalition is seeking money from the city’s Youth@Work summer-job initiative for the youth counselors. It’s looking for a public school building as a main site. Meanwhile, it needs Independent readers to come through again, to help them help keep kids busy and the streets cool this summer. They’re looking to raise $2,500. Here’s the contact info if you’d like to donate: Thompson Street Youth Coalition, 73-75 Thompson St. New Haven, CT 06511; (203) 773-0200.