Project Kindred to bring youth summit to Marquette in July; students to present findings to council

Yaa Ingle, executive director of Project Kindred, told the Emerging Youth Achievement Advisory Council on May 14 that about 20 young people will attend a July 7–10 ‘‘root‑cause’’ summit at Marquette University to identify local problems they want to address and work with partners to develop solutions.

Ingle said the summit will include partnerships with city departments and community organizations, and the youth will return July 16 to City Hall for a scavenger‑hunt‑style engagement with departments and a lunchtime presentation to the council about their findings. The group plans a July 13 community event called the "MKE love kickback" to distribute wellness kits and provide information about free clinics and summer resources.

Project Kindred asked council members and city departments to provide chaperones and staff liaisons to host small student groups during the City Hall activities and to come to the summit at Marquette where possible. The program is youth‑led and emphasizes connecting young people with city decision‑makers, identifying existing city efforts, and exploring how city departments can support identified solutions.

Ingle said the pilot this year included about 20 participants from roughly a dozen schools and that Project Kindred will pair youth groups with departments (DPW and others were mentioned) and city leaders to help students understand policy levers and next steps.

Council members offered to help recruit chaperones and department contacts and asked Project Kindred to follow up with details on which departments will host students and the precise schedule for July 9 or 10 and July 16.