ITHACA — Residents on Ithaca’s Westside are trying to fulfill the dreams of their youth.
Over the past decade reports of crime in the West Village Apartments have increased, prompting the city to try new programs, like the Officer Next Door initiative, to deter the activity.
A grassroots effort called “Our Children’s Future” started forming in October to help kids living in the neighborhood. The idea stems from a number of conversations residents of the complex have had with city officials about how to reduce crime and help people in the west side of Ithaca.
“We hope to inspire children. People don’t give children credit for their ideas,” Melie Melendez, a parent who has been working to form the program, said. “When we came into this, instead of saying, “Kids, we’re building a program. This is what we’re going to do,” we chose to allow them to tell us what they want to do, to make their dreams a reality.”
She says they are planning to organize events with different partner groups, based on ideas from their kids.
“One child wanted cooking lessons from all around the world, so this is what we’re doing. So then, hopefully, we will have the next Chef Ramsey or Rachel Ray just right here in West Village,” she said.
Melendez says some of the events they’re working on include tours of restaurants and community service to “show kids responsibility.” She also hopes to reach out to local college students who have had similar life experiences as the kids in the West Village, so they can become role models.
