Youth Summer Recreation League

Through the Edward Byrne Memorial Congressionally Recommended Awards program, the Office of Justice Programs helps communities improve the capacity of local justice systems and supports training and technical assistance programs and other efforts that strategically target local needs. This program is authorized to organizations identified in the Text and Joint Explanatory Statement, Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009.

In an effort to address the educational needs of young adolescents whose opportunities The YMCA of Greater Kansas City plans to host a Youth Summer Recreation League that will provide young adults a safe place for activities during the summer months when the occurrence of crimes are high. The leagues will operate at four local YMCA facilities and one off site location. Services will be provides at two centers in the heart of the 5th Congressional District and will also include three centers on the edge of the service area including Raytown, Independence and Grandview. The concept will be similar to Midnight Basketball and Night Hoops, our name will be different due to trade mark regulations. Basketball and Life Skill classes will be the key structural components each evening. Five leagues will be formed within the service area offering young adults ages 13-19 a safe place to participate in quality activities. However, the 13-15 age group will serve as our primary target for the league activities, we plan to service the 16 '19 age division at one location. Self-esteem building, goal setting, career development, positive conflict resolution, decision making and character education will serves as the key educational components for the participants. League activities will take place on Friday and Saturday nights for six weeks during the summer months. All activities will begin around 8:00pm and end by midnight depending upon the group and location. In addition, we will open the Teen Centers and Computer Labs where available for community use during these times to accommodate league participants and spectators. NCA/NCF