City to offer Youth Development Grants in 2018

ST. PETERSBURG – City officials announce a new source of grant funding for local organizations to develop programs for at-risk youth in St. Petersburg. In 2018, the Youth Development Grant Program will offer funding amounts from $1,500 up to $25,000 to non-profit local organizations in good standing who provide services to youth and are located within the municipal boundaries of St. Pete.

Applications for the Youth Development Grants are available online at stpete.org/MBSK. Printed copies will be available city recreation centers and libraries.

Two information sessions for the community to learn more about the program are scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 25 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Enoch Davis Recreation Center 1111 18th Ave. S, and Tuesday, Jan. 30 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at The St. Petersburg Greenhouse 440 Second Ave. N.

Potential applicants must attend a Mandatory Pre-Application Instructional Session on Thursday, Feb. 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the St. Petersburg Main Library, 3745 Ninth Ave. N.

Applications are due Feb. 23. Youth Development Grants must be completed and delivered to: Mayor’s Office, Attn: Youth Development Grant Program, City Hall 175 Fifth St. N, by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23.

The Youth Development Grants are the fourth component of the My Brother’s and Sister’s Keeper initiative started in summer 2016. MBSK features the Not My Son community canvass walks and intervention efforts; the Cohort of Champions youth training initiative; and the My Sister’s Keeper Just Be U! Girls Conference.

“My administration continues to be focused on the youth of our city, particularly those at-risk,” said Mayor Rick Kriseman. “We want to not only help these young people develop marketable skills, but expand job training opportunities for them as well. We are working with community partners to build a qualified, prepared and ready workforce. That is good news for the young people of our city, and it’s good news for our growing business community.”

For more information about the Youth Development Grants, contact Leah McRae, director of Education and Community Engagement at Leah.McRae@stpete.org.