Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the City Clerk to enter a grant agreement with Epic Youth to provide upfront financial support for the organization's Girls Will! event in honor of the International Day of the Girl. Funding support from Council will be provided upfront to defray the cost of pre-event planning and contract procurement, including for the following services:
1. Venue deposits and vendor payments (including workshop facilitators, audio/visual support, and security);
2. Transportation and supplies for over 400 student participants;
3. Marketing, printing, and event materials that must be procured in advance; and
4. Honoraria for speakers and partners.
The Girls Will! Summit, held in honor of International Day of the Girl, is a large-scale youth leadership, empowerment, and STEM exposure experience designed to inspire middle school students to become builders, leaders, innovators, and future professionals.The summit will support approximately 200 students in grades 7-8 through a dynamic day of hands-on learning, leadership development, career exploration, entrepreneurship exposure, wellness conversations, and direct engagement with leaders and professionals across industries including technology, business, media, healthcare, beauty science, and entrepreneurship. Students will participate in interactive breakout sessions, panel discussions, team activities, and motivational experiences that build confidence, communication skills, self-worth, and future readiness. Funding will support student access, transportation, workshop materials, speakers, event production, program staffing, and culturally responsive experiences that ensure students from under-served communities can participate. Columbus City Council deems this a proper public purpose of funds so long as the event is open to all, regardless of gender identity or expression.
The intended outcomes of the Girls Will! Summit are to increase leadership confidence, ...
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