Key West Florida Weekly

Idle Hands work program on track to continue


Leadership of A Positive Step of Monroe County has announced that thanks to the city of Key West and an anonymous donor, the 2021 Idle Hands Summer Youth Employment Program, which had been in jeopardy because of COVID- 19-caused funding challenges, will take place this year, is close to reaching its full-funding goal of $70,000, and is set to launch on schedule in June.

Since 2010, APSMC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves some of Monroe County’s highest risk kids and their families, has partnered with the city of Key West to provide paid summer employment for Key West High School students who are returning to school the subsequent fall, aged 16 and up.

In early 2021, the city, though still not able to commit to its traditional financial support of the program, did commit to providing the jobs, and APSMC put out several public calls for assistance. In March, recognizing the program’s crucial role in the lives of socially and economically disadvantaged young people and their surrounding community, a local benefactor who prefers to remain anonymous made a donation covering nearly half the 2021 budget.

Then, on April 13, following an up-to-date evaluation of city finances, the Key West City Commission passed a resolution guaranteeing up to 50% of the 2021 program cost, up to $35,000.

Anyone wishing to contribute or seeking more information about the Idle Hands Summer Youth Employment Program and other A Positive Step Monroe County programs can visit www.APSMC. org or contact APSMC founder Billy Davis at 305-304-1969. ¦

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