Explanation
This ordinance authorizes a grant agreement between Columbus City Council and the Simon Kenton Council, Boy Scouts of America, in support of its Refugee and Immigrant Outreach program.
The Boy Scouts of America seeks to expand its outreach to the refugee and immigrant community in the Hilltop and Wedgewood neighborhood. This includes growth in organizational partnerships related to this effort, and include My Project USA, ETSS, New Bridge and Bridge Gate schools, Eakin Elementary school and area mosques. The goal is to provide positive mentorship and experiences for youth who are otherwise at risk of negative community influences like drugs, trafficking, and crime.
In 2017, Columbus City Council provided funding to initiate the programming in West Side neighborhoods. Through the continued support of Council, the Simon Kenton Council will expand Scouting to these youth at no cost to their families. They will be provided registration, uniforms, weekly activities, field trips to camp and other outdoor adventures, and stipend program leaders to serve as mentors. The focus is on boys ages 6-18. Through Scouting they will learn about citizenship, be provided with community service opportunities, and work on their reading and language skills. Close to 250 youth will be served through this effort with programs already running through My Project USA, and early stages of programs with ETSS and the area elementary schools.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Emergency action is requested in order to avoid any reduction in current service provision levels or delays in expanding the program.
Title
To authorize Columbus City Council to enter into a grant agreement with the Simon Kenton Council, Boy Scouts of America, in support of its Refugee and Immigrant Outreach program; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($15,000.00)
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