COLUMBUS – Columbus has seen 66 homicides so far this year, with five of the victims and two of the suspects under 18 years of age.
Mayor Andrew Ginther yesterday unveiled plans to combat the violence this summer by helping young people he says have suffered economically due to COVID-19.
“We are really planning a ‘restoration investment’ into young people to help build back some of what they’ve lost due to this pandemic,” he said.
Ginther says the pandemic has worsened problems such as economic, food and housing insecurities, a claim borne out by a report from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission this week which showed the economic shutdown and other impact’s of the pandemic deepened disparities in income, housing, education and other areas.
Ginther Thursday announced several violence prevention, education and employment summer programs, including camps, late-night Basketball and free lunches.
The Recreation and Parks Department is waiving admission fees for city pools for those who register in advance.
The city and the YMCA of Central Ohio are teaming up to employ 400 16-to-24 year-olds to clean up litter while receiving soft skills training and a daily lunch.
The annual My Brother’s Keepers Youth and Community Job Fair (May 13-14) is a virtual hiring event with a special focus on full- and part-time summer employment opportunities for youth age 15 and older.