Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and Council President Pro Tem Elizabeth Brown provide funding to expand summer programming for Columbus youth
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and
Council President Pro Tem Elizabeth Brown announced legislation to provide
funds to expand summer camps and programming options for Columbus youth.
Columbus City Council will consider legislation that authorizes the Columbus Recreation
and Parks Department to administer up to $2 million in grants supported by Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES)
Act funds. The grants will assist qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
in providing summer programming for youth. The CARES Act provides economic
assistance to help families, workers and businesses protect Americans from the
public health and economic impacts of the coronavirus.
The legislation being
considered aims to ease the challenges families currently face due to the
public health emergency and address gaps in programming and ensure youth are
supported during this challenging time.
“During the public health
emergency, it is critical that we do everything we can to meet the needs of
working families, said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “Allocating CARES Act funds to
ensure our kids can participate in engaging and creative recreational
programming allows youth the opportunity to improve their physical and mental
health and well being, something that’s even more critical during this
unprecedented time.”
This week, Columbus Recreation
and Parks will open a select number of programming and camps with adjusted
group sizes and increased safety protocols designed to slow the spread of
COVID-19. The ability to administer funds to like-minded organizations provides
the department with a broader reach, and the opportunity to connect more
families to vital recreational services.
“Providing a safe place
for our kids to learn and grow during the summer is vital for them and for
working parents everywhere, and Columbus children deserve every opportunity to
access enriching services that connect them to nature, wellness and creativity,”
said Council President Pro Tem Elizabeth Brown. “Providing these opportunities
to as many families as possible is a priority, which is why these CARES Act
funds are being deployed to increase access to programming that meets the needs
of working families.”
Grant funding applications
will be accepted beginning June 16, 2020. For additional information and the
latest department information and updates, visit
Columbus.gov/RecParksCOVID19/.
Columbus
received $157 million in CARES Act funding from the U.S. Treasury to be used
for expenditures directly related to the City’s response to COVID-19. These
funds are being allocated for direct response to COVID-19, human services and
economic recovery.