HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Challenge House in Hopkinsville received a generous donation from the city to help fund their summer work force program for teens. The Attitude, Training, and Teamwork program, also called AT&T, is open to high school juniors and seniors living in neighborhoods with a Challenge House ambassador.

This summer, participating teens will gain knowledge about a wide range of jobs with dozens of local speakers scheduled to come, encompassing a wide range of careers and trades. The program will culminate with the opportunity for job shadowing, and a graduation ceremony where each teen will receive $200. The funds donated by the city will cover this cost to allow the teens to get a ‘paycheck’ for their hard work.

At the June 18 Hopkinsville City Council meeting, Mayor J.R. Knight acknowledged the donation, saying the money was donated from the city’s interfund account.

RELATED STORY: Challenge House nonprofit has uplifted struggling Hopkinsville neighborhoods since 2007 | VIDEO

Summer at Challenge House

AT&T is just a fraction of what Challenge House ambassadors arrange for kids in Hopkinsville during the summer. Prayer groups, field trips, tutoring, block parties, and more are planned in an effort to allow inner city youth to have access to fun summer activities in a safe environment. “They’re here to be a resource for the neighborhood, whatever that entails,” said Michelle Wilson, executive director for Challenge House.

Unlike during the school year, over summer break not every child in Challenge House neighborhoods has access to guaranteed meals every day. Wilson estimates the ambassadors distribute 3,000 snacks a month, and at a cost of around 78 cents a child per snack, the price adds up fast.

Since Challenge House is fully funded by private donors and receives no grant or federal assistance, Wilson wants to remind the community that they are always excepting monetary donations, or snack donations that can be dropped off at Challege House 7. Find more information about programs and donations on the Challenge House Website. 

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