NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 717.255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
20 October 2003

NEW ‘JUST 4 KIDS’ AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM OPENS IN SOUTH HARRISBURG

Harrisburg, PA—City children living in South Harrisburg will have a free new after-school program to attend, Mayor Stephen R. Reed and Harrisburg City Councilwoman Vera White Reynolds today announced during dedication services for the ‘Just 4 Kids’ headquarters offices at 1408 S. 18th Street. The new program will offer sports, recreation, computer training, lifeskills development and more.

Reed said the ‘Just 4 Kids’ program is being conducted in conjunction with the city’s Youth Commission, headed by Councilwoman Reynolds, and the city Department of Parks and Recreation, which owns the site next to the adjacent Pool #2 near the Hall Manor public housing complex.

The Mayor said the new afterschool program is being coordinated by Richard Soto, of South Harrisburg, under the auspices of the newly-formed Just 4 Kids Outreach organization. The program will primarily serve children from the nearby neighborhood, but anyone is welcome to attend. Sports, arts and crafts, computer training, lifeskills training, such as mock job interviews, and other activities will be offered at the site. A core group of ten staff and volunteers from the nearby neighborhood will provide daily oversight and coordination.

“Providing structured after-school support and recreational services is important for several reasons,” said Mayor Reed. “Keeping our children constructively engaged not only helps to entertain and educate them, but it also helps to keep them off the streets and away from potential harm. It is a known fact that the few hours between the time school ends and when most parents get home from work after 5 p.m. are the most vulnerable hours of the day for children, both for accidental injuries as well as juvenile misconduct.

“Programs such as ‘Just 4 Kids’, which is run by local citizens for local kids, can go a long way towards reducing those risks, and we applaud the good efforts of everyone involved.”

Councilwoman Vera White-Reynolds, who has served as City Council’s primary advocate for youth for many years and has long directed the city’s Youth Commission, said the new program is about more than just fun and entertainment. “We hope to prepare our young people for success in the adult world, and will work hard to give them all the necessary skills and support they need to become productive citizens.”

The Mayor said the ‘Just 4 Kids’ program staff will be doing some minor renovation work at the new program headquarters site at 1408 S. 18th Street. The property is being long-term leased to the new, non-profit coordinating organization, which will be seeking corporate and private donations for program support, the Mayor noted.

Reed said ‘Just 4 Kids’ can be reached at the new program site, or by contacting them at (717) 221.8583, or via email at www.jst4thkds@aol.com.

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