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Resident Michael Spinks urges council to support youth enrichment, describes program that served 300 children
Summary
Michael Spinks told the council his summer enrichment program served more than 300 children and asked for support — not a handout — to sustain services including a free laundry program and field trips; he said he still faces a $107,000 gap after fundraising and a personal loan.
Michael Spinks, who identified himself as a Ward 5 resident and small-business owner, used his three minutes of public comment to describe a free summer enrichment program that enrolled more than 300 children and to ask the city for help sustaining operations.
"This summer, we did run an enrichment program Monday through Thursday, April through August, from 3 to 7. We had over 300 kids enrolled," Spinks said, adding that the program offered field trips and meals and that he had personally taken a loan to cover remaining costs. He said the program had raised about $16,000 at a mayoral fundraiser but still had roughly $107,000 to fill.
Spinks said the operation also offers a community laundry service that teaches children how to do laundry and asked the council to place his request on a future agenda so it could be discussed by the full body. "I'm not asking for a handout," he said, urging support and explaining he had met with city staff previously.
Councilmembers responded in the later council remarks by praising the program and offering to help with fundraising and outreach. Councilmember Saul specifically said he would assist with fundraising and emphasized the importance of keeping youth facilities open. The council did not take formal action on Spinks's request during the meeting; the chair invited him to follow up with the city manager and councilmembers individually.
