Chambana Sun

Neighborhood Services staff recently performed site visits for CommUnity Matters summer programs. These periodic visits allow City staff to tour the facilities and witness the youth participate in the programs receiving CDBG funding throughout the year.

Operation Hope hosted NSD staff at their end-of-summer celebration. Many students participated in the Youth Employment Services (YES) Program. Other students participated in activities like working in a community garden plot, painting peace poles, learning martial arts, and many other enrichment activities. During the celebration, students were awarded their final check, which was the last of three for a total of $750, for all their hard work over the summer.

While visiting Champaign Park District, the Leonhard Center summer camp youth participated in enrichment activities provided by OSF. These activities included calming jars, sensory bags, and other games. Aside from activities at Leonhard Center and Douglass, the youth also enjoyed pool days and periodic field trips throughout the summer.

Youth at Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club showed off their hard work by displaying their products for an exclusive preview to NSD staff before the official opening of the club “Mall.” The various teams worked throughout the summer on building their products with the budget they were awarded after initially pitching their ideas to a panel of judges. The youth then collaborated amongst their teams to further develop their products, storefronts, and marketing plans. Each youth earned “club bucks” throughout the summer by offering to help around the club, being a team player, and participating in enrichment activities. Youth could then spend their “club bucks” at other team stores or the club shop. Some items for sale in the club shop were popular snacks, Stanley cups, a Nintendo Switch, and much more.