Dear City Council Member & Mayor Khalid Kamau,

We, the undersigned community members, parents & residents of South Fulton, hereby petition the City Council and the Parks & Recreation department to extend the duration of the Summer Youth Program. We believe that this extension will serve the following important purposes:

1. Assisting Working Parents: The current length of the program does not adequately accommodate working parents who rely on the program to ensure the well-being and supervision of their children during the summer months. By extending the program, we can alleviate the stress and burden faced by working parents and provide them with a reliable solution. We would 
expect a lengthened program to support the needs of ALL families, remain local and affordable.

2. Empowering the Community: Many residents have invested their tax dollars which has already paid for the day funding of the Summer Youth Program. By lengthening the program, we can ensure that tax payer dollars are being spent as mandated. And, maximize the return on this investment and ensure that the community receives the full benefits of the program. A longer program will enable more children to participate, offer reprieve to working families, fostering a sense of unity and engagement among community members. It also reinforces to the community that our tax dollars are being spent to advance & enrich the children of the South Fulton community. The community’s tax dollars have been allotted support the summer tennis program. As a non profit with a high amount of staff & a restrictive cap on enrolled students required by the recreation center cannot fiscally sustain high weekly payments to a govt entity. 

3. Coach Sam has been instrumental in delivering a full day, free lunch, valuable tennis program as a Summer Youth Program. He runs a successful tennis non-profit organization that relies on the program's activities. His non profit has included USTA competitions & membership access for our kids. Coach Sam’s mentees are consistently USTA state tennis championships and just brought south Fulton a USTA state championship in 2022! And had Venus Williams come to speak and inspire the children! His non profit has even brought Venus Williams to the grounds to inspire our children.
Extending the program for the full day will provide an opportunity for the coach's organization to continue delivering valuable services to our community's youth. He has enabled hundreds of youth to acquire tennis scholarships, providing them an opportunity to attend college. He is currently training hundreds of others through his 501 C3 non profit youth programs. Helping them to remain focused & productive, law abiding citizens. Our youth are being mentored by tennis professionals, focused on mastering a sport, & creating college pathways for themselves. They deserve to continue participating in a quality, full day tennis program that allows ALL families to participate. 

We kindly request that you consider the importance of these reasons and take action to extend the day of the Summer Youth Program. Your support will contribute to a stronger and more inclusive community, benefitting both children and parents alike.Thank you for your attention to this matter. We trust in your dedication to serving the best interests of our community. Please see attached signatures.

Sincerely,

Parents, Community Members & Residents of Fulton County