Walkathon Funds Benefit City Youth

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                  By Carlene Olsen  /New Haven Register
                     July 26, 2005

New Haven- After 300 children and adults learned the steps to the Mississippi Mud Slide dance on the Green, they were ready to kick off the first City Wide Youth Coalition Walk-a-thon. In the end, more than $13,000 was raised for city-based youth programs/ Monday’s walkathon was originally scheduled for July 8, but was a wash out because of rain, said Cynthia Rojas, the director of the City Wide Youth Coalition. This time, dark clouds threatened, but the weather complied. The proceeds from the walk will be the distributed among 21 youth agencies to alleviate the camp programs, trios and other activities. Mayor John Destefano Jr. challenged city employees to raise $5,000 for the Youth Walk, and exceeded their goal, raising $5,200. More than half of that was raised by the city police. United Teen Connection plans to use its portion of the funding to open a hot line for teens to discuss concerns and receive feedback from peers. “Solar Youth Inc. used their funds to send a group of children to an environmental conference in Japan,” Rojas said. “Another group, Kids TV, will be able to take some kids to Hollywood this summer.” Ten children from Kids TV are also shooting their first movie in Los Angelas, said Kim Harris, program director. “The trip is so exciting,” she said. “It’s just wonderful to see dreams come true.” Representatives from Public Allies Conn. were at the walk raising money to send a group of teens and young adults to Caracas, Venezuela, where they will continue their work on an international dialog. “We are making a video about issues we see affecting youth,” said Eliza Halsey, program manager for Public Allies Conn. “The world Festival of Youth and Students is held once every four years, and this year we are attending and we plan to interview youth from around the world.” Camp LEAP, which stands for Leadership Education and Athletics in Partnership, plans to use the money to take children on summer trips to Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Boston. Hill Cooperative Youth Services will use the funds for summer trips to area amusement parks/ “I’m excited about seeing something I’ve never seen before,” said Kevin Grimes, 11, a LEAP camper who is eager to Visit Philadelphia for the first time. Event sponsors included WTNH-TV Channel 8, Yale University, New Alliance Bank, Stop & Shop, P Diana’s & Sons Economy Ice Co. and Empower New Haven/

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