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Local youth nonprofit asks commissioners for funding for literacy and leadership academy
Summary
Catalyst Global Youth Initiatives requested financial support for its 10-year literacy and leadership academy serving about 173 students across three school areas; program leaders said they need funds for books, tours and stipends and were advised to seek city-commission support at next week’s meeting.
A representative of Catalyst Global Youth Initiatives told the Midtown Redevelopment Advisory Board the organization needs financial support to run its literacy and leadership academy, which the speaker said has operated for 10 years and serves roughly 173 students across Daytona, Deland and Deltona.
Felicia Benzo, speaking for Catalyst Global Youth Initiatives, described a six-week program that provides daily reading time, leadership sessions with college volunteers and field trips to local colleges, hospitals, NASA and marine science sites. She said the program orders books for participants — “We ordered 990 books,” she said — and that staffing and transportation costs require additional funding.
Benzo told the board, “I need financial help,” and asked for direction on how to approach city funding. Staff and board members directed her to seek funding at the next City Commission meeting and said staff would help arrange board appearances and invitations for students and parents to attend future meetings. No city funding decision was made at the Midtown board meeting.
