City Of Grand Rapids: Teens Help Teens Stay Warm With Coat Drive

Press release from the City of Grand Rapids:

February 03, 2022

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Grand Rapids Mayor’s Youth Council, a program managed by Our Community’s Children (OCC), is partnering with the Grand Rapids Public Library (GRPL) to collect new coats to help local teens and young adults stay warm this winter season. With cold temperatures being a mainstay, this project comes at a perfect time.

The Mayor’s Youth Council consists of local teens in grades 9 through 12 who spend a school year learning about the functions of city government. They also give voice to issues of concern to them by facilitating monthly meetings with the mayor, hosting an annual KidSpeak youth forum at City Hall and participating in community service projects.

“Every young person deserves to have a warm coat -- period, Shannon L. Harris, OCC executive director, said. “We especially want to reach teens and young adults who are unhoused and/or experiencing poverty; and I’m thrilled to see teens helping each other to ensure basic needs are being met.”

The coat drive runs through March 4. New coats, gloves and other winter accessories can be dropped off at eight Grand Rapids Public Library locations.  Donated items will then be distributed to the following community-based organizations: Baxter Community Center, Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities, Hispanic Center of Western Michigan and AYA Youth Collective.

“We are pleased to work with the Mayor’s Youth Council on this impactful project,” John McNaughton, GRPL director, said. “This partnership provides students with meaningful real world experience while helping the most vulnerable in our community.”

Our Community’s Children is a public/private partnership between the City of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Public Schools and community partners. For more information about the Mayor’s Youth Council or Our Community’s Children, visit www.ourcommunityschildren.com or email sharris@grcity.us.

This press release was produced by the City of Grand Rapids. The views expressed here are the author’s own.