The temperature is starting to climb, and spring flowers are blossoming, so you can be certain there’s only one thing on most students’ minds: the end of the school year.
As a parent, I know it can sometimes feel like a challenge to find rewarding, safe activities for our children during the summer months, and I wanted to make sure we were making it easier for Indianapolis families to find those opportunities.
On May 15, I will host our first Youth Opportunities Fair along with the Marion County Commission on Youth (MCCOY) and Shortridge Magnet High School. It will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. at Shortridge, and it is free and open (no registration required) to anyone who wants to attend.
The event will feature dozens of local service providers, businesses and groups that offer youth summer programs, internships, volunteer opportunities and jobs. Our goal is to present local students and parents with a variety of summer options so they can explore different summer possibilities before the end of the school year.
For my part, I want to make sure kids in our community know they have a chance to explore new activities, earn valuable professional experience and maybe take home some extra cash during the summer months.
I also want to help keep our kids safe.
The spike in violent crime over the past few months has involved and affected far too many young people across our city. When I speak with students, I often hear that they feel like no one is listening to them or directly helping them find ways to succeed. We expect a great deal from our youth, and we must do more to make sure they’ve got the tools they need.
As a community, we’ve got to step up and help protect Indianapolis youth by connecting them with opportunities that will lead them to a brighter future.
That could be an opportunity to volunteer at a local non-profit or pick up a new sport at a summer camp. For students nearing graduation, it could be an internship or job in the career field they hope to pursue after high school.
Fellow parents, I hope the Youth Opportunities Fair will demonstrate to you that there are resources available to help you help your kids.
For two decades, MCCOY has been working to empower every young person in Marion County to be successful. It’s a privilege to partner with them for this event, and I hope you’ll join us on May 15 at Shortridge Magnet High School, located at 34th and North Meridian streets, to find out more about what Indianapolis has to offer our young people this summer – and how they can give back to our great city.
Rep. André Carson, a Democrat, represents the 7th Congressional District in Congress.
