Community organizes nearly 50 summer
youth activities through ‘I DO’ program

Lexington’s young people will find more to do this summer thanks to a group of citizens who have planned activities through a new Partners for Youth program called “I DO”– Identifying opportunities; Developing relationships; and Organizing partnerships.
 

“This group, including members of the faith community, youth advocates, concerned citizens and school and city representatives,” Gray said. “They’ve shown that a lot of common sense and a little imagination can go a long way.”
 

“I Do” is one outgrowth of the work of the Commission on Youth Development and Public Safety, a joint project of Gray and Councilmember Chris Ford. Gray appointed the commission last June and asked it to focus on youth and safety concerns.
 

“I believe the youth of our community are deserving of our continual investment and dedication,” Councilmember Chris Ford said. “These leadership & coordinating efforts confirm how compassionate & committed the youth advocates throughout Fayette County truly are.”
 

The group identified almost 50 different activities for youth (click here for the full list of activities. For those interested in getting involved, the list is being circulated through schools and churches and is available on the city’s website at www.lexingtonky.gov.
 

Some of the programs are free, and others offer scholarships. Some are new, some are long-time favorites. Many are designed to serve young people who live in urban areas.
 

Gray said the organizers relied on partnerships to make several of the activities possible. “The schools, Lexington’s Police Activities League, faith community, city, especially Parks and Recreation, are all working together to put together a summer full of fun for our young people,” Gray said.
 

Now that the activities have gotten off to a good start the city is planning to hire a part-time employee to work year-round on youth activities, Gray said. The work will be part of the city’s Partners for Youth program, a community coalition that works to improve the lives of economically disadvantaged youth and serves as the clearinghouse for local youth serving agencies.
 

Click here for a full list

From LFUCG