Sophie Sonnenfeld Photo
Kids play on the splash pad at Lighthouse Point Park.
At Lighthouse Point Park Monday afternoon Mayor Justin Elicker and Youth and Recreation Director Gwendolyn Busch Williams announced the opening of city-run camps, the Livable City Initiative (LCI) youth ambassador program, a new driving safety program, and other activities as part of a post-pandemic “Summer Reset” initiative.
This summer over 300 youths are enrolled to participate in the nine different camps and other programs across the city.
“It’s an exciting time for the city,” Elicker said.
With $1.5 million from American Rescue Plan funding for increased summer youth engagement, Elicker said, they were able to extend the typical five weeks of camp to eight weeks.
Mayor Justin Elicker.
“I think that when we’ve struggled, in particular our youth, over the past year and a half, it’s critical that our young people have opportunities for their social and emotional development. That interaction with their peers can help develop their social skills, but most importantly, help them have fun this summer,” the mayor said.
Coordinator of Community Recreation Felicia Shashinka said the kids were happy to see each other as they started camp at Lighthouse Point Monday morning. “This year kids are really really excited!”
The camps require masks indoors and allow campers to take them off outside. Shashinka said the kids wanted to hug each other, but counselors have been stepping in to limit contact between campers.
One change in behavior she noticed this year was that more kids were fine coming in without knowing anyone: “They’re not as crazy about not knowing kids and that it’s good to make new friends.”
Felicia Shashinka.
Shashinka said they still have some space available for the eco camps and older camps.
The camps run from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and keep kids engaged with exercise, games, and social time. To keep campers cool, most of the camp buildings have fans and air conditioning and have sprinkler systems, splash pads, or pools.
Counselors are also keeping watch and ensuring campers stay hydrated.
With the funding, Busch Williams said for the first time in the history of the program, all applicants for Youth @ Work received a letter with an offer of employment. The program provides New Haveners from ages 14 to 21 with workplace exposure and mentoring. This year it begins July 6.
“We understand with Covid our young people need an outlet, and we want to keep them busy until it is time to go to school again,” she said.
She highlighted the LCI youth ambassador program, which has hired 60 young people to match with and clean up different districts across the city.
“This is to earn extra money and earn it in a way where they’re getting involved in their neighborhoods. They’re often going to be working in their own neighborhoods to pick up trash, interact with other people, feel more sense of pride in their community, but also put some money in their pocket,” Elicker said.
Through the youth engagement aspect of the “Summer Reset” program, the city also plans to provide free driving safety courses and two hours of driving lessons for over 100 16 and 17-year-olds.
Gwendolyn Busch Williams.
Finally, Williams announced the second annual youth concert on Aug. 11: “All the young people in New Haven will be able to come out and celebrate together in a safe environment for a concert that is going to have music of their choice.”
Elicker added that these summer programs are key to violence prevention in New Haven. “With the uptick in violence across the nation, we’re seeing that the people involved are folks that are 30 or 40 years old, but also some younger people both as victims or potential perpetrators of the violence so these types of programs are vital to keeping kids busy, but more importantly keeping them around mentors and keeping them focused on earning some money,” he said.
Watch the full press conference below:
"Elicker added that these summer programs are key to violence prevention in New Haven. "With the uptick in violence across the nation, we're seeing that the people involved are folks that are 30 or 40 years old, but also some younger people both as victims or potential perpetrators of the violence so these types of programs are vital to keeping kids busy, but more importantly keeping them around mentors and keeping them focused on earning some money," he said"
Who is doing the heat and PPE monitoring for the "fabulous" idea, less than a week in parents are reporting concerns of children being affiliated by heat exhaustion. So nice pics and quotes but putting kids outside during a heatwave without water, shade, protective gear, sunscreen - was that excluded from the budget or done purposely to teach the youth about slavery?