Baltimore Orgs Trying To Help Prevent 'Summer Slide' With Activities For Kids

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- More than 12,000 young people have applied for summer jobs in Baltimore, but others who may not be old enough to go to work need something to do, too.

Ron Matz reports, Mayor Catherine Pugh and many local organizations are working to make that happen.

Watching TV, playing video games, spending days at the beach, and a lack of reading, can lead to what educators call "the summer slide."

"To have kids engaged in active programs including enrichment, literacy, recreation and STEM, it's critically important in July and August," says Jonathon Rondeau, president and CEO of the Family League of Baltimore

So Pugh is lining up a host of Baltimore philanthropic organizations and businesses to make sure 9,000 city students who aren't old enough to work have something to do over the three-month period between the spring and fall semesters.

"We know there is a learning gap between middle class kids and kids who are living in poverty," says Rondeaux. "These programs allow us to close that gap."

The Summer Funding Collaborative is providing the money, and the Baltimore Blast will help, too, with a summer soccer league.

"We have a collaboration with philanthropic organizations all across the city representing some 92 different programs that they are funding this summer for our young people," Pugh said. "It's very exciting... This is over $3 million in commitment to youth programs this summer with over 9,000 or more children who will be able to participate in this program. This doesn't count the 12,500 young people that we will help put to work this summer. It's a great program from Penn North to Patterson Park."

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