City of Milwaukee launches 'Hello Summer' to keep kids active this season

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --- The city of Milwaukee announced a new effort to keep kids busy this summer. The goal is to connect families to opportunities with the click of a button.

The city is launching a webpage and app to connect families to youth programming, activities, childcare, summer camp, and even employment opportunities.

"Think of this site as a young person's guide to the city with information, and activities geared towards youth," said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

"Hello Summer" provides a central place for families to find things for kids to do this summer. It's part of the ongoing effort to keep kids out of trouble by growing resources for positive outcomes.

Mayor Johnson was joined by other city leaders to launch the web page and app Wednesday morning at SDS, the Social Development Commission.

Officials say positive youth engagement can be a big crime prevention tool. "We want to encourage people to participate in all of the positive things that's happening throughout the city," said Milwaukee's Office of Violence Prevention Director Ashanti Hamilton. 

Hamilton says his office is working to spread awareness about various youth resources around town.

"The Office of Violence Prevention is trying to bolster up many of the great youth serving organizations that are serving youth throughout the city of Milwaukee with resources so they can continue doing some of the great work that they have done in the past," he said.

SDC is a social services organization serving Milwaukee County, they provide youth programming, including job opportunities.

Fourteen-year-old Courtney Penman is a student at SDC. Penman says she's excited other kids will now have access to similar programs.

"I work and I learn how to be independent and talk to people. I feel like it's really good because a lot of young people don't have anything to do and they just sit at the house," she said.

Mayor Johnson says this is the kind of programming kids in Milwaukee need this summer.

“It’s important that we are engaging young people. Engaging our youth. Our youngest members of our workforce with positive activities, especially in their time from school," said Mayor Johnson.

Click here to access Milwaukee's Hello Summer webpage.