Akoma Unity Center lease renewal

A 17-year-old scholar who has been with Akoma since age eight asked the council to renew the lease so the program can keep supporting youth.

A 13-year-old scholar asked the council to renew Akoma's lease, citing the robotics program and other opportunities.

A Ward 2 council candidate called Akoma a model city-school district partnership and urged lease renewal, saying it should exist at every park.

A 15-year-old 10th grader praised Akoma's remote robotics program and asked for the lease renewal.

A former Akoma scholar now serving in student government statewide credited the center with shaping her leadership and asked for lease renewal.

An 11-year-old scholar said Akoma taught her robotics, coding, and mental health first aid, and asked the council to renew the lease.

Called Akoma a unique beacon serving youth, seniors, and the whole community, and asked for a multi-year lease rather than a single year.

The guardian of an Akoma scholar said the center was a lifeline when she became a teen's guardian at 26 and begged the council to keep it.

The NAACP branch president said Akoma is the best youth program the city has and urged renewal, calling it a beacon.

A resident who moved to the city eight years ago said Akoma gave her daughters real curriculum-based learning and field trips, and asked for a yes vote.

Read a letter from Sam Catalano recalling the foundation's $150,000 investment in the Akoma facility and urging preservation of the resource.

A candidate for the 45th Assembly District praised the council for listening and urged not just renewal but a permanent arrangement for Akoma.

A mother described her son's success through Akoma — now graduating college with an accounting degree — and urged the council to renew the lease.

Speaking for Akoma's scholars, parents, and staff, detailed the center's statistics — 6,000+ scholars served, 150 scholarships awarded, and 66 college interns hosted.