Mott-funded summer programming helps keep Flint and Genesee County kids safe, busy and productive

Summer is here, but for many Flint and Genesee County families, keeping children and teens safe and engaged in fun, productive activities that don’t stretch tight budgets can be a challenge. High-quality summer programming is particularly critical for school-age children and youth, who can fall victim to the “summer slide,” losing about two months of grade level equivalency in mathematical computation and reading skills before returning to school in the fall.

Fortunately, there are a variety of free and low-cost summer options available locally. For almost 80 years, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation has supported activities for children and young people in Flint and Genesee County — and this summer is no exception. While many Mott-funded summer programs for students focus on learning and enrichment, most offer plenty of opportunities to have fun and increase physical fitness too.

This year’s options

YouthQuest: Known for its afterschool programming in Flint and Genesee County, YouthQuest also serves about 1,000 students each year through six weeks of summer programming. Operated through the Genesee Area Focus Fund, YouthQuest summer programs help students keep their academic skills sharp by providing a variety of academic, enrichment, leadership and physical fitness activities.

Mott grant support for YouthQuest in 2015 (school year and summer): $3,100,000.

Summer Youth Initiative: Another long-running program providing job training and employment for Genesee County teenagers, the Genesee Area Focus Fund’s Summer Youth Initiative serves about 740 students through its TeenQuest pre-employment training program and helps more than 630 high school students find employment each year.

Mott grant support for the Summer Youth Initiative in 2015: $825,000.

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Flint: Offering year-round programming for more than 6,000 children ages 7-17, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Flint focuses on activities that increase children’s academic skills, creativity and physical fitness. Summer enrichment programs, serving between 400 and 475 youth each day, are offered at two locations: Flint’s Haskell Community Center and the Boys & Girls Club home facility on Averill Avenue.

Mott grant support for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Flint in 2015: $60,000.

Tot Lot: Possibly the granddaddy of all summer programs, the Flint Community Schools’ (FCS) Tot Lot program has been helping 4- and 5-year-old children become socially and academically prepared for school for more than 60 years. This year, Tot Lot activities will be offered for seven weeks (two weeks longer than previous years) in 12 classrooms. Activities take place from June 29 to August 14 at nine FCS schools: Brownell, Holmes, Doyle Ryder, Durant-Tuuri-Mott, Eisenhower, Freeman, Neithercut, Pierce and Potter. There will be two classrooms at Brownell, Durant-Tuuri-Mott and Pierce. These nine schools will also be hosting summer school and YouthQuest at the same time as Tot Lot in order to make Pre-K through 6th grade programming more accessible for the entire family. Contact your local school to learn more.

Mott grant support for Tot Lot in 2015: $240,000.

Teen CEO Initiative: A seven-week entrepreneurial learning and leadership experience for 45 young people ages 14-18, Teen CEO has operated at Mott Community College each summer since 2007. Mentored by local business professionals, the students identify a business idea, develop a business plan and learn how to make their idea operational. Upon completion, 15 participants are eligible to receive $1,000 in seed capital to launch their businesses.

Mott grant support for the Teen CEO Initiative in 2015: $68,000.

Flint Public Library: There’s something fun going on almost every day at the Flint Public Library. In addition to the Summer Reading Challenge program for kids from June 13 through August 1, there are all kinds of free activities for children, teens and adults, including Lunch on the Lawn Storytime, the Family Stem Club, Chess for Everyone, Armchair Traveler, computer classes and more. Located on the Flint Cultural Center campus, the library is open Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Mott grant support for the Flint Public Library in 2015: $300,000.

Crim Fitness Foundation: Summer running clubs are offered by the Crim Fitness Foundation for children ages 5-17 to make exercise fun and promote healthy living habits. The clubs meet one or two times each week, offering activities that create a positive, healthy and inviting environment for children while teaching them the importance of staying active. As club members, children and their families are invited to participate in the Family Fun Night at Bicentennial Park in Grand Blanc and the Crim Kids Invitational at Flushing County Park.

Mott grant support for the Crim Fitness Foundation in 2014-2015 (school year and summer): $166,000.

Flint STRIVE Academy Youth Empowerment Program: YEP will provide 30 Flint area young people ages 14-18 with a summer employment experience and follow-up support services throughout the academic year. On Fridays throughout the summer, young people will engage in personal enrichment and character building activities as well as educational field trips. YEP concludes in August with a graduation ceremony honoring participating youth and their families.

Mott grant support for Flint STRIVE in 2015: $85,000.

In addition to these programs, the Genesee County Parks & Recreation Commission, with more than 11,000 acres of woods, rivers, lakes, trails, beaches and campgrounds, offers a number of summer activities and recreational opportunities for children and families at 21 parks.

Or check in with the Flint Farmer’s Market where something fun is always happening on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The Flint Cultural Center is another great spot for children and families. A variety of summer activities and programs are available through the summer months, including many free events such as Music in the Parks. To find out what’s going on at the Flint Institute of Arts, the Flint Institute of Music, Sloan Museum, Longway Planetarium, Flint Youth Theatre and The Whiting, visit their websites or take a walk through the beautiful Flint Cultural Center campus and stop by.