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Council declares July 16 National Summer Learning Day; highlights city and nonprofit programs
Summary
Pittsburgh City Council on July 15 approved a resolution recognizing July 16 as National Summer Learning Day and heard from program leaders about meals, camps and enrichment for children across the city.
Councilwoman Kale Smith presented a resolution declaring Wednesday, July 16, 2025, to be National Summer Learning Day in Pittsburgh; the council approved the resolution by voice vote.
The resolution, introduced by Kale Smith, cites the National Summer Learning Association’s national campaign and local partners including Allegheny Partners for Out of School Time (APOST) and Bridge to Learn. "Summer is a critical time for students to develop academically, socially and emotionally," the text says.
Speakers at the proclamation included Karen Dreyer, executive director of APOST, who said summer programs provide safe spaces and adult mentors and allow families to work while children learn. Brian Mack, executive director of the Open Door Youth Outreach Center in Crafton Heights, said his summer program serves almost 90 children and provides about 60 breakfast and lunch meals daily across six weeks, estimating more than 3,600 meals over the summer. Catherine Vargas, director of Parks and Recreation and chair of APOST’s board, urged council members to visit local programs and highlighted the heavy operational lift that providers carry during the summer.
Council approved the proclamation in a single motion and response: when Councilwoman Kale Smith asked for approval, members responded “Aye,” and the item was recorded as approved.
No additional funding or specific policy changes were voted on at the meeting. The proclamation recognized local providers and called attention to food security and learning losses that many children face without summer programming.
