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Community speakers urge council to let Howard’s Healthy Choices remain at Briggs Library; administration says matter is in court
Summary
Children, parents and community leaders told council they want Howard’s Healthy Choices to remain at the former Briggs Library for its summer programming and year-round services. Administration said the issue is the subject of litigation and cannot be discussed in open session, and suggested executive-session briefing for council.
Community members, program participants and children urged the City Council on June 17 to allow Howard’s Healthy Choices (HHC) to remain at the former Briggs Library (115 Greenwood Ave), saying the nonprofit provides after‑school and summer learning, mentoring and neighborhood services.
Multiple young program participants spoke in the chambers about reading and math support, cursive instruction and enrichment activities they receive at HHC. Lorna Walker and Star Wright described the program’s summer-learning structure, nutrition provision and partnerships (including outreach and a cited partnership with Capital Health), and asked council to allow the summer program scheduled to begin June 23 to proceed at the Greenwood site. Several adult commenters, including representatives of local nonprofits and residents, said HHC provides a safe space and community services that would be difficult to replace.
Tonetta (Netta) Howard, program director, told council she has run programming at the site since 2017 and that the program supports children with learning needs and provides community services such as food and clothing distribution and volunteer-led activities. Parents and volunteers described field trips, academics and vocational exposure that they said are not readily available elsewhere.
When council members asked for details about the building and the status of HHC’s occupancy, Director Bridges (administration) and other staff said the situation involves ongoing litigation. The administration advised the council that, because the matter is in court, it could not be discussed in open session and that council could consider executive-session discussion with legal counsel. The council did not vote on the library occupancy during the June 17 meeting; several council members asked staff to coordinate next steps and to brief council in executive session or provide options that protect program continuity while the legal matter moves forward.
Public commenters included children who spoke in favor of maintaining the program, and community leaders who said the program is a “hub” for neighborhood services. A public commenter who identified as a former Kiwanis Club member also noted community heritage events coming in July. Several council members thanked the children for speaking and asked staff to follow up through executive session or administrative channels as appropriate.
The council did not reach a final public decision on the occupancy of Briggs Library during the meeting; administration indicated legal constraints. Community speakers asked the council to prioritize continuity of programming for children while staff and legal counsel handle the litigation.
