Youth-focused organizations are participating in a block party Saturday to raise awareness about services available in Ypsilanti for children and young adults.
The Corner Health Center is hosting a block party Saturday aimed toward youth.
Angela Cesere | AnnArbor.com
The Corner Health Center will host the event along with the Ypsilanti District Library, Ozone House, The B. Side and the Washtenaw County Sherriff’s Office Community Outreach Department.
Monique Hoyle, a health educator at Corner Health Center, said the event was put together to in hopes of encouraging area youth to get involved with the community and learn about the programs available, including afterschool programs and job training opportunities.
Each of the five organizations will have information on-site about the programs. During the event, the Corner Health youth leadership council will be debuting an anti-bullying public service announcement, Hoyle said.
"They created a video and will encourage peope to take a stand against bullying," she said. "There are some really wonderful programs available," Hoyle said. "I want to make sure young people are informed."
Last year, the Corner Health Center had its 30th anniversary and celebrated with a block party that had about 100 people show up. Hoyle is hoping for a similar number this year and has plans to make it an annual event.
"Ypsilanti is a wonderful community and we want it to shine," she said. "We want to show off all of the cool things we're doing and this is an opportunity to do that and to connect them to these programs so they come back on a weekly basis. It will set up the stage for us to do this kind of work and leverage our power together to support the youth."
The event is free for the general public, but the resources and prizes are catered toward ages 10 through 22. Tony Morgan, a local community activist, will be the event emcee.
Katrease Stafford covers Ypsilanti for AnnArbor.com.Reach her at katreasestafford@annarbor.com or 734-623-2548 and follow her on twitter.