Summer programs play a critical role in the lives of our children, adolescents, and teens. These programs provide structured time that serve as safety nets, reduce juvenile crime rates, and support working parents. But for many families these initiatives may be out of reach: They may not know how to access programs. Enrollment might be limited. Fees may be restrictive. Transportation could be lacking. Meals might be needed. There may even be fewer opportunities for tweens and teens.
The Princeton Area Community Foundation (PACF) is hosting a virtual gathering on Wednesday, May 24, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. seeking input from nonprofits and community advocates about summer programming needs in the region and understand the factors that prevent vulnerable youth from accessing these programs. PACF intends to focus a round of grantmaking on summer youth initiatives, especially those that reach families who would otherwise not have access to these programs.
There are pockets of poverty throughout the Greater Mercer County region, and PACF wants to hear from nonprofits providing summer programming throughout the region, as well as from community advocates who can lift-up the voices of families struggling to find affordable and suitable summer programs for their children, adolescents, and teens.
After the virtual meeting, a brief grant application process will open. Nonprofits must have 501(c)3 status. Existing and new summer programs will be considered, but it is likely that programs identified as reaching vulnerable youth, particularly tweens and teens, will be prioritized.
To register or for more information, visit www.pacf.org.
