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Youth and community groups press Clinton council for affordable recreation, YMCA access and neighborhood supports
Summary
Teens and nonprofit leaders asked Clinton City Council for more teen programming, lower YMCA fees or scholarships, playground and sidewalk repairs, and increased outreach; council urged attendance at an upcoming YMCA event and pledged follow‑up.
During public comment on April 1, representatives of youth and community organizations urged the Clinton City Council to address barriers that limit access to recreation and youth services.
Aliyah Guignard, 17 and president of the NAACP youth council, told the council that many teenagers lack affordable places to go and that YMCA membership and program fees are a barrier for some families. “When the YMCA was built in Clinton many people thought this could be like a free fun place for our children…but parents have to pay so much,” Guignard said, and urged council to consider options to make programs more accessible.
A New Life Outreach Ministry representative described after‑school care, weekend support and a small on‑site schooling program that serves many children and asked for playground equipment, juice and snacks, sidewalks, and more frequent patrols on Sapsus Street. The speaker said volunteers and small donations sustain programs, and asked the city to help connect resources.
Mayor Starling encouraged attendees to attend the YMCA Chairman’s Social at the airport on April 10 and said city staff and council would follow up with the recreation director and YMCA leadership to discuss fees, scholarships, and program options. Council members also offered to meet after the meeting to gather information and photographs from community groups.
