Fraternity pays for Monroe kids to attend summer programs

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - Summer programs for the Monroe recreation centers have kicked off. We spoke with officials about how they plan to keep the children interested. The program began Monday, June 9, 2021, and will go through the second week of July. The six-week program is 5 days a week from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year the City of Monroe is changing the focus to keep children interested.

“I mean, it’s just really changing its focus this year, they’re trying to enhance the program more than in years past. Each day is going to be a theme. It will be “Mindful Mondays, Tasty Tuesdays, Wellness Wednesdays, Thoughtful Thursday, and of course, Fitness Friday,” Michelli Martin the City of Monroe Communications Director said.

Michelli Martin with the City of Monroe says the city was set to raise the price for the program from $6 to $15 but after hearing from the community they decided against it. This will allow each child to have an opportunity to attend.

“Once we found out that $15 was a strain on the community, we dropped it right back down and so anybody who has already paid their $15, you’re going to be getting a refund for the difference between $6,” she said.

The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in Monroe has raised money to help families pay for the summer program. One member of the fraternity says he’s sponsoring 10 children. He asked other members to donate and they jumped at the opportunity.

“So when I put the question out there to my frat brothers, it was just an overwhelming response. So we went from having me doing 10 sponsorships to doing over 100 and raising over $2,100 to go towards the summer program,” Herbert D Guillory, an Omega Psi Phi Fraternity member said. With the price going back down to $6, the fraternity said on Thursday they now expect to be able to help 350 kids.

In order for your child to receive a sponsorship, you must fill out the program paperwork and bring it to the community center. Then the money is given out on a first-come, first-served basis. The summer programs are being held at six of the seven community centers in the city.

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