City funds youth-related programs
City spreads $100,000 among neighborhood groups, centers and public agencies.

BY MICKEY CIOKAJLO, KALAMAZOO GAZETTE

Youth programs were the focus of $100,000 doled out by the city of Kalamazoo Monday night.

"I have had some very direct contact with a number of these groups, and I know the wonderful work that they do," Commissioner Don Cooney said. "I think they should know that we recognize how important their work is."

Commissioners last year decided to redirect the annual budget allotment toward programs and activities benefiting young people. The allocation is dubbed local general revenue sharing because the $100,000 comes from the city's tax-supported general fund.

The program was the focus of controversy a few years ago when commissioners recommended eliminating it, saying basic services like street repairs needed the money.

Local general revenue sharing in the past has provided funding to human services agencies like Ministry with Community and Senior Services, neither of which applied this year because of the new focus on youth development.

The allocations were determined by the Kalamazoo Youth Development Network, which was given the task by the Greater Kalamazoo United Way.

A $5,000 allotment to the Kalamazoo Gay/Lesbian Resource Center received the only dissenting vote, registered by Commissioner Edgar Gordon. Gordon said he would prefer to give money to a professional organization that could help teen-agers experiencing "identity" concerns, as opposed to the volunteer group.

"I would rather reserve this until we have an organization that can provide a total clinic service in the community - be it health, be it psychological aid, be it spiritual aid," Gordon said. "So that these are available in a professional atmosphere."

Cooney said there's a vacuum for this type of service and a group of competent people have filled the void.

"The group that made this selection . . . (has) a lot of guts," Commissioner Linda Teeter said of the grant. "Because it really is an issue that's difficult to grapple with in a community."

Following are the groups, the grant they received and the funded activity:

• Hoopsters Classic Association, $15,000, youth sports through the Douglass Community Association.
• YWCA, $11,880, mentoring program.
• Learning Village Inc., $11,836, Eastside Community Preschool's summer program.
• West Douglas Neighborhood Association, $10,700, after-school "homework help" program.
• Douglass Community Association, $10,000, youth and adult services.
• Kalamazoo Nature Center, $10,000, neighborhood outreach program.
• Edison Neighborhood Association, $8,255, summer youth program through neighborhood churches.
• Gryphon Place, $7,550, ProjectFREE skill building for understanding and managing conflict.
• Prevention Works Inc., $7,119, education and recreation at Interfaith Homes.
• Kalamazoo Gay/Lesbian Resource Center, $5,000, youth group resource center.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Kalamazoo, $2,660, computer training.