Summer presents a crucial time to support youth in low-income neighborhoods. School’s summer closure can bring additional stress to low-income families and economically disadvantaged youth are less likely to have access to summer learning opportunities, forcing many families to create a patchwork and absorb additional costs of childcare. Many of these kids also lose access to a valuable resource; school lunch. According to a national survey, more than half of parents whose children receive a free or reduced price lunch during the school year find it harder to make ends meet during the summer. Without these resources, youth in low-income neighborhoods are at greater risk of food insecurity, obesity, and may lose months in grade-level reading skills. Cumulatively, this can have a negative impact on the health and vitality of our neighborhoods.

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