The Tri-Community Coalition has completed the Summer Mini Grant in partnership with
Summer in the City. For this program, 11 Young, Optimistic, and United (YOU) high school
members traveled down to Detroit to lead activities designed to teach elementary youth
stress management, conflict resolution, and self-esteem building. The first session was held at Belle Isle, and YOU students lead the outdoor games, focusing on team building and learning
through play. For the next three sessions, students lead activities in the Del Rey community of
Detroit for elementary and middle school students. For the first session, students made their own stress balls and “stress catchers” (modified cootie catchers). For the second session, students
created conflict resolution comic strips. For the third session, students created their own
positive affirmation bracelets. The final session was spent participating in Summer in the
City’s Finale Friday. YOU students were paired with elementary students and helped them
complete challenges and fun/service activities throughout the day, including mural painting.
In addition to the Summer in the City component, YOU students extended their volunteer
time to help run a giant spin art station at the Oak Park Summer Fest, and to help with the
TCC’s “Dancin’ in the Street” street dance during Berkley Cruise Fest.
Finale Friday YOU Participants
