Indianapolis' Safe Summer program aims to grow

The annual Safe Summer program aims to provide opportunity for young people in Indianapolis while school is out. 

Launched in 2019, Safe Summer is a partnership between the Indianapolis Office of Public Health and Safety (OPHS), the Indy Public Safety Foundation and Indy Parks.  Deputy Mayor of Neighborhood Engagement Judith Thomas said the free Friday night program could expose youth to other opportunities as well as sports.

“And maybe we would find someone who didn’t know that they would be interested in coding, or the violin or lacrosse,” Thomas said.

Safe Summer started under the leadership of Shonna Majors former Director of Community Violence Reduction.  Majors is now Brightwood Community Center Executive Director and says community voice is critical.

“So they can assist and help us support it and help us grow it, because the goal is to have as many kids as possible being able to participate in Safe Summer,” Majors said.

Last year, the program served more than 1,050 youth.  That was up from about 450 reached in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Thomas said there is added funding for Safe Summer this year through the American Rescue Plan allocations.

“We have funding to take it to another level and that’s what we’re trying to do because it’s not about one person, it’s about keeping Indianapolis safe and keeping our young people productive,” Thomas said.

Indianapolis set aside $45 million for grassroots violence prevention efforts this year.

The Indiana Pacers, IUPUI and nonprofits partner with the city on the program. There is a call out for other private support, community volunteers and donations.

Safe Summer will run June 10 through Aug. 5 at Garfield, Riverside, and Washington parks.