COSTA MESA : HUD Honors Group for Youth Summit
Federal housing authorities in Washington have honored a Costa Mesa assisted-housing group for its all-day Rap and Chat event for children.
The daylong youth summit, aimed at children who live in assisted housing in the Southland, was cited by the Department of Housing and Urban Development because it is innovative and creates opportunities for public housing residents, HUD spokeswoman Aylin Gonen said.
The event, now in its second year, includes workshops, games and classes dealing with friendship, self-esteem, gangs and drugs. It is also a time for youngsters to express their thoughts, said Cynthia Fusco, executive director of the Costa Mesa Assisted Housing Management Assn.
About 520 children attended this year’s Rap and Chat on Aug. 22, and more than 150 adults volunteered.
“The kids come from all over,” Fusco said. The event cost $40,000 and was paid for by private donations.
No one from the Costa Mesa group was able to attend the awards ceremony Tuesday in Washington. The group hadn’t known of its award until a notification letter, dated Aug. 31, arrived last week. “If we had had more time, we would have been there,” Fusco said.
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