The Wayne County Department of Aging and Youth is currently seeking applications from municipalities or qualified non-profit agencies interested in providing Youth Sports Services to underserved Wayne County youth ages 6-17. These awards are designed to promote positive youth development and family engagement. Studies show that youth who participate in sports experience more positive social, emotional, health, and educational outcomes, which extend into adulthood. The Youth Bureau is interested in funding programs that provide a variety of sports for a broad range of youth particularly in under-resourced and under-served communities. These areas include “low-income areas”, communities or groups with higher barriers to participation in sports such as youth with disabilities, girls, transgender/ non-binary, gay, lesbian, or questioning, federally or NY State-recognized tribes and tribal organizations, neighborhoods that experience higher crime and violence rates and poorer performing school districts.
Wayne County is encouraging a wide and flexible definition of sports that can include any organized activity with movement, including physical fitness activities like yoga, hiking, dance, or active outdoor pursuits.
