Toledo reports 30,021 youth served in 2025 summer programs; council presses officials on funding, capacity

The Division of Youth Services told the Education, Recreation and Health Committee on Tuesday that its 2025 summer programming recorded 30,021 youth contacts and emphasized mentoring-focused offerings under its “Thrive” category.

The presentation, led by David Bush, commissioner for the Division of Youth Services, and Davion Beach, summarized the division’s partners, participation data and post-program survey results. The division identified 84 program partners across categories including Thrive (mentoring/leadership), Move (sports), Grow (personal/community growth), Learn (academic/career), Create (visual arts), Perform (performing arts) and Explore (outdoor learning).

The numbers and why they matter

The presenter said the 30,021 figure is not unduplicated — a single youth could be counted more than once if they attended multiple programs. Beach said the division collected 1,309 participant surveys; of those respondents, 87% said they would return to the program, 88% said they learned something, 90% said they enjoyed their program, 92% said they met a caring adult and 93% said they met a pro-social peer. The slide deck shown to council listed the top…