Mayor James Encourages Local Youth to Register for Mayor’s Nights 2013

April 23, 2013 - KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

Today, Mayor Sly James, President of the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, Jean Paul Chaurand, and Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, Mark McHenry, encouraged local youth to register for Mayor Night’s activities including Club KC, Night Hoops, Night Kicks, and Night Nets.  “Mayors Nights is truly a collaboration between City leaders and our youth.  Last year, we asked them how we could help them stay safe throughout the summer.  They spoke up, we listened, and a great time was had by all,” said Mayor Sly James.  “This year, because residents voted yes on Question 1 in August, the City is investing even more in summer programming for youth. We believe it’s important to support our young residents in making positive decisions.”

Club KC began last June when the City proactively designed summer programming in safe venues for local young people. This partnership between the Mayor’s Office, the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, the City of Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department, and Carter Broadcasting’s Hot 103 Jamz, served over 7,000 young people in the summer of 2012.

This summer, the City is doubling its investment in Club KC, totalling $400,000.  This additional investment means that Club KC will run for 12 weeks at five sites across the community. Brush Creek Community Center will host high schoolers both Friday and Saturday nights, Gregg/Klice Community Center will host middle schoolers both Friday and Saturday nights, Hillcrest Community Center will host middle schoolers on Friday nights and high schoolers on Saturday nights, Tony Aguirre Community Center will host middle schoolers on Friday nights and high schoolers on Saturday nights, and Kansas City North Community Center will host middle schoolers on Friday nights and high schoolers on Saturday nights.  Middle school events run from 6-11 p.m. and high school events are from 8 p.m.- midnight.

In addition to Club KC, the Parks and Recreation Department will continue the successful Mayor’s Night Hoops, Night Kicks, and Night Nets. These programs provide excellent opportunities for young people to participate in athletics and learn life skills through complementary educational programming.

Club KC will begin Friday, May 24th. All of the Mayor’s Nights athletics programs will begin the week of June 10th.  Visit kcmayor.org/mayorsnights to register for any of the Mayor’s Nights programs.  Identification cards will be issued to all registered youth and can be picked up at any of the five community centers.  The first 100 registrants to pick up their cards will receive a free pass to The Bay or The Springs Water Parks.

For media inquiries or more information, please contact Roosevelt Lyons, Senior Advisor Office of Civic and Community Engagement, at or .

Contact: Roosevelt Lyons: 816-513-6576