This summer, a pilot youth program was launched, in hopes to continue on in the future, to expose the youth to character development/good citizenship, community service and recreational activities. Located in the Blue Hills area of Kansas City, 47th to 63rd streets and Prospect to Paseo, the Blue Hills Neighborhood has recently embarked on an initiative funded and sponsored by LISC and facilitated by the KC Metro Crime Commission and MSCP, and in collaboration with Blue Hills Community Services and other neighboring entities to target community youth in an attempt to prevent crime and delinquent behavior.
Coordinated by B. Michael Long, the Youth Program focused on youth ages 8-17 for a seven week period in the summer. The program began on June 20 and continued until August 5. During those seven weeks, the youth engaged in daily life skills/character development workshops that discussed matters ranging from self-identity to goal setting. Youth also were given daily affirmations in order to instill in them a positive thought process and combat the external negative forces from the environment in which they find themselves.
The youth were also afforded the opportunity to take weekly capoeira lessons from local instructor Ron "Pregisa" Havery and his wife Sonia. The classes planted within the students the positive values of self-esteem, confidence, determination, focus, work ethic, adaptability and most importanlty having fun.
There were also weekly swimming ventures at Swope Park Pool that the youth enjoyed during the hot days of early summer. Many students who did not know how to swim actually overcame their fear of water and were able to swim by the end of the seven weeks.
Weekly field trips to places like the Federal Reserve Money Museum, the World War 1 Museum and Liberty Memorial, viewing a theatrical performance of the play the Wiz, the Nelson Atkins Museum, the Universoul Circus, and seeing the movie The Rise of the Planet of the Apes capped of every Friday as the youth expectantly looked forward to the field trips.
Besides the many exciting things that the youth participated in, there was regular community service events that the youth engaged in, picking up trash around the community which taught them to take pride in the area they live.
Overall, the youth thoroughly enjoyed themselves during the seven weeks of summer and are looking forward to continue their intearction with the Blue Hills Youth After School Program beginning in August.
Stay tuned for more information...
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