from “le détroit” · the strait
Mayor Mary Sheffield launched a 10-week citywide youth initiative with more than 700 free bikes, a Skilla Baby set, and late-night rec center hours through August 14.
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield launched "Occupy the Summer" on Friday, June 12, opening a 10-week citywide youth initiative with a giveaway of more than 700 free bikes and a performance by Detroit rapper Skilla Baby at the Adams Butzel Recreation Center on the city's west side.
The kickoff drew hundreds of families. Registered youth picked up bikes while the event added family-friendly carnival rides, live entertainment, and on-site access to support resources. The city says more than 1,500 young people registered for the program.
"This is what Occupy the Summer is all about, coming together as a community to provide positive, fun filled activities for our youth," Sheffield said.
The program builds on the Occupy the Corner initiative Sheffield established while on City Council, now scaled into a citywide effort centered on youth engagement, neighborhood activation, and violence prevention. It is backed by $1.5 million from the city's general fund, with title sponsors The Sterling Group and Amazon.
Occupy the Summer runs through August 14 with weekly Friday activations, each rotating to a different neighborhood. The city's schedule moves from a Juneteenth Celebration at Crowell on June 19 through Skate Night, Sports Night, a Small Business Pitch Competition, Arts and Culture Night, and a Bike Night on the Joe Louis Greenway on August 7. A mid-summer HOOPFEST is set for July 19 in partnership with NW Goldberg Cares.
Nine recreation centers are staying open until 11 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays through the summer: Adams Butzel, Crowell, Kemeny, Farwell, Heilmann, Butzel Family, Coleman Young, Helen Moore, and the Northwest Activities Center.
At the kickoff, Sheffield also announced the rosters for the city's inaugural Late Night Basketball League. The league serves Detroiters ages 16 to 30 through structured games, mentoring, and support services, with 135 players issued free jerseys at the launch. Play runs across three regions: Heilmann on the east side, Adams Butzel on the west side, and Kemeny in southwest Detroit.
The summer closes with a finale on August 14 tied to Metro Detroit Youth Day, powered by the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Detroit, which is set to include a school supply and backpack giveaway.
Full programming details are available through the city at detroitmi.gov.
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