BY LANCE GAITHER

lance.gaither@bluegrassnewsmedia.com

The Danville Schools Equity Council launched the Summer Youth Nights at Millennium Park. The program is geared toward students of Danville High School and Bate Middle School.

“Our teens don’t have anything to do, especially things that are affordable,” said Council Co-Chair and DHS Spanish teacher Chasati McCowan. “Our little kids have play grounds and splash pads, but the 12 to 18 age group don’t have a lot to do.”

The Equity Council partnered with Danville-Boyle County Parks and Rec to create the Summer Youth Nights.

“Most teenagers just like hanging out with each other,” McCowan said. “We wanted to get some time at the park for kids to come hang out and play games. We have got local DJs to volunteer a couple hours of their time to play music. We have plenty of sports and card games. We also have food sponsors so the kids can eat for free.”

The Equity Council hopes that the program can help connect teens with the community.

“Some of our teens don’t have any caring adults in their lives,” McCowan said. “We want to make them feel connected and know that people do care. They aren’t just a test score at school. We want to give them a chance to just have fun and be kids. We have presented to the mayor and commission an action plan. We have asked the city and commission to step up. It takes a village. As as a school district we can’t fix child poverty rates and family stability but as a community we can take those steps to make our kids’ lives better.”

The Equity Council has a goal of removing barriers that kids face.

“We are focusing getting teachers training with trauma informed teaching and culturally responsive teaching,” McCowan said. “It is to better meet the needs of the students we have. Danville’s superpower has always been how diverse it is and we want to make sure all of our students needs are being met.”

Summer Youth Nights will be held every Thursday in June and July near the basketball courts at Millennium Park from 6 to 8 p.m.