LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – Mayor Sharetta Smith continued her “Around the Town” media briefing tour this week with stops at two local youth summer programs, emphasizing the city’s commitment to investing in its future leaders.
Mayor Smith joined children at the Lima Parks Department’s Summer Parks Program, where she helped make ice cream, and later visited campers in the GenNext program at Lima’s Central Fire Station. The programs, she said, are vital in introducing young residents to new experiences and future career possibilities.
"We, number one, want to show that we continue to invest into our youth and the next generation of what we know is our workforce," said Mayor Smith. "And you cannot know what's available for you for a career if you're not exposed to it."
Mayor Smith said Lima's youth programs are vital in introducing young residents to new experiences and future career possibilities.
The GenNext program, now in its third year, aims to expose middle school students to STEM fields, emergency services, and other career pathways. At the fire station, students received hands-on instruction, including CPR training.
“So we were learning about CPR because that’s what I just did,” said camper Justin Wilmoth.
While GenNext is a newer initiative, the Summer Parks Program has been a long-standing tradition in Lima, offering activities and enrichment for local children for decades.
