Connecting Kids is organized out of school time youth development and enrichment opportunities. Youth scholarships include K-12 youth that reside in Blue Earth, Nicollet, Waseca and Le Sueur Counties. From the help of previous funding from MDE, we have increased scholarships from swimming lessons from 80 to 200. Program partners include Lifeguard Training and Water Safety Instructors training. Additional partners include Mankato Community Education, Mankato Family YMCA, Lake Crystal Area Recreation Cetner, City of St.
According to the 2021 American Community Survey, Pine City has a poverty rate of 13.4% -about 1.5 times the rate in Minnesota as a whole {9.2%). The poverty rate for children under 18 is even higher at 25%. Within the Pine City School District, an estimated 28.4% of the 1,538 students are considered economically disadvantaged (https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/minnesota/districts/pine-city-public?school-district-102930), and 43.9% qualify for free or reduced lunch. Pine City has a strong need for low-cost and free recreation and educational opportunities for our youth.
