St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Rosedale proudly launched its Youth Summer Enrichment 2024 program, an initiative designed to engage and empower youth in our community. Running from Monday to Friday over two weeks, the program offered a series of educational and practical courses tailored to meet the diverse needs and interests of the community’s youth. The program covered a wide range of topics, including personal safety and cyber-safety, health and nutrition, financial literacy, arts and crafts, and back-to-school/college readiness. With a special focus on life skills, sessions taught youth about budgeting, healthy eating, preparing balanced meals, and creative self-expression through arts and crafts. A dedicated musical director also provided musical enrichment, fostering creativity and engagement.
This program was born from St. Peter’s ongoing commitment to serving the community, inspired by feedback gathered through a survey conducted among participants of the Yvonne Gitten's Pantry. The survey revealed a pressing need for youth-focused programming, which led to the collaborative development of this initiative. Participants received hands-on learning experiences while building valuable life skills, all in a safe, nurturing environment. The program concluded with a special recognition event and BBQ, where youth showcased their work and were honored for their participation. By fostering connections and equipping young people with essential skills, the Youth Summer Enrichment program has created lasting impacts in the lives of participants and strengthened ties with the surrounding community.