Simmons Joins Coalition of Mayors To Support CT Youth

STAMFORD, CT — Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons joined other local leaders and advocates on Wednesday in Hartford to announce and support a five-year, $1 billion plan that would invest in programs to support Connecticut youth.

Along with Simmons, Mayors Justin Elicker of New Haven, Harry Rilling of Norwalk, Ben Florsheim of Middletown, Mayor Michael Passero of New London, and Mayor Tom DeVivo of Windham all took part in the event, with Mayors Neil O’Leary of Waterbury, Lauren Garrett of Hamden, and Mike Walsh of East Hartford all signing on in support of the plan.

The Connecticut Youth Investment Plan calls on utilizing a combination of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and general fund revenues to build up a system of youth programming at the state and local level, according to a news release from Simmons' office.

Funding would be directed toward the six key components of the plan:

• Youth jobs, training, and apprenticeship
• After-school programs
• Summer Programs
• Mental Health services and access
• Targeted programs for high-risk and at-risk youth
• Physical infrastructure, including youth and recreation centers

The five-year plan would consist of $160 million in programmatic funding per year with an additional $200 million in total bonding for physical infrastructure over that period, according to a news release.

"I am proud to join my colleagues to advocate for this unprecedented investment in youth across Connecticut," Simmons said in a news release Wednesday. "We cannot ignore the long-term impacts this pandemic has had on our children – physically, mentally, and emotionally. I’m looking forward to working with my fellow mayors, municipal leaders, former legislative colleagues, and the Governor’s office to ensure we pass this comprehensive legislation that will provide youth in our communities with the resources and programs needed to recover from this pandemic and thrive and succeed in the future."