Youth program needs your vote

Help develop character and morale with one simple vote.

The Bridge of Hope Church has entered its Super Kids Program into the Pepsi Refresh Project and will receive a $25,000 grant to expand the program to more local schools if it can garner enough votes to propel it into the top 10 good ideas list by June 30.

The Super Kids program was submitted to Pepsi’s grant project by team pastor and police chaplain Lori Valenzisi. The overview of the grant proposal touts Super Kids as a program that was designed to meet with elementary students and help develop positive character traits, decrease violence in the city, build self-esteem and develop an atmosphere of hope in the Valley.

It has been used at West Boulevard and Robinwood Lane Elementary schools in Boardman and Taft and Williamson Elementary in Youngstown. Its format includes 25-minute assemblies, games, skits, illusions, stories and review games to help create an environment where everyone feels valued, important and safe.

Valenzisi said if the program would win the grant money it would expand to serve additional schools in the community.

Visitors to Pepsi Refresh Project can vote for up to 10 ideas each day. Currently, Super Kids is ranked No. 142.

“Every vote counts,’ Valenzisi said.

For information or to cast a vote, visit refresheverything.com/lovethisplace.

The Pepsi Refresh Project looks for people, businesses and non-profits with ideas that will have a positive impact on the community and lets visitors to its website vote for their favorites.