Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks to enter into a grant agreement with the J. Jireh Development Corporation in support of the organization’s SIMBA/SIMSA summer youth programming.
SIMBA/SIMSA is a youth development program which stands for Safe In My Brothers Arms & Safe In My Sisters Arms. The SIMBA and SIMSA program was created for young African American youths between the ages 8-17. The goal is to challenge them to meet their full potential. The male program (SIMBA Circle) was instituted in 1993 when a group of African American community leaders recognized that there was a need for mentors for African American youth, which will help them become healthy, non-violent adults. This organization gives children the opportunity to address their fears, build positive relationships and discover their potential. They will have the opportunity to learn from experienced staff members who engage and encourage youth to build high self-esteem, self-worth and empowers at risk youth to lead.
J. Jireh is partnering with Central Community House, Capital University, and Transit Arts. Central Community House is providing mentoring services with volunteers from Capital University. The participants will have the opportunity to engage in Transit Arts’ programming once a month. J. Jireh’s SIMBA/SIMSA program takes participants to an overnight camp focused on building self-worth amongst kids from vulnerable neighborhoods.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Emergency action is requested in order to have funding in place in anticipation of summer youth programming needs.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks to enter into a grant agreement with the J. Jireh Development Corporation in support of the organization’s SIMBA/SIMSA summer youth programming; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($3,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, J. Jireh Development Corporation locally administers the Safe In My Brothers Arms & Safe In My Sisters Arms programs, which challenge young African American youths to meet their full potential; and
WHEREAS, SIMBA and SIMSA gives children the opportunity to address their fears, build positive relationships and discover their potential; and
WHEREAS, through its summer youth programming, J. Jireh is partnering with other local community organizations to provide mentoring services and other enrichment activities for participants; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily business of the city in that it is immediately necessary to authorize a grant agreement with J. Jireh Development Corporation to have the resources in place in time for summer youth programming; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with the J. Jireh Development Corporation in support of the organization’s SIMBA/SIMSA summer youth programming.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor be and is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $3,000.00 in the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, to the Department of Recreation and Parks, in Object Class 03 - Contractual Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That in regards to the action authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $3,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.