Committee moves $10,000 ARPA grant request for Urban Squash Cleveland to full Council

Urban Squash Cleveland asked the county committee to forward a request for up to $10,000 from the District 3 ARPA Community Grant Fund to support its youth development and community-squash programs.

"We're focused on building scholars, on building character, and ultimately productive citizens," said Jean Kaylor, executive director of Urban Squash Cleveland, as she described after-school programming at West 47th and Lorraine that combines mandatory homework help, enrichment activities and athletic training. Kaylor and colleagues said the program provides meals, volunteer tutoring, and travel opportunities for tournaments and college visits.

Students described the program as a supportive community: "It's like a second home to me," one participant said, explaining how squash and the classroom supports helped with academics and confidence. Program staff said the core after-school cohort includes fifth graders through high school seniors and that the initiative supports roughly 86 enrolled participants in the last year with exposure programs reaching more than 100 additional Cleveland youth.

Committee members asked about staffing, numbers served and local partnerships; presenters said the program offers summer camp and career exploration, provides equipment and sneakers, and partners regionally with sister programs and community supporters. The committee approved a motion to move the grant request to the full Council for a second reading.

What happens next: the item will proceed to the full Council, which conducts three readings for ARPA-funded awards.