Zach Gordon Youth Center will offer four, free spoken word workshops over the next two weeks for youth ages 9-21. The workshops, taught by local artist Christy NaMee Eriksen, will focus on creative writing, performance, and diversity.  Spoken word is one component of a series of art classes made possible by a Catalyst Grant from the Juneau Arts & Humanities Council. Workshops are from 5-6pm on May 13, May 16, May 17, and May 21.

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church will host a free summer lunch for everyone under 18 years old. The church is located on Mendenhall Boulevard across from Taku Boulevard.

We kick off the summer with a bike rodeo on Sunday, June 2 from 4-6 p.m. There will be free hot dogs, a bike rodeo, bouncy house, carnival games, helmet give-away, bike repair and many other great events. The summer lunch begins on June 3 and lunch is served Monday through Friday until August 9. Youth may drop in between noon and 2 p.m. for a hot lunch and fun activity.

While for most involved, Big Brothers Big Sisters is about having fun, the program was founded with the purpose of providing positive role models in the lives of at-risk youth, and it has proven to be effective.

“We’re an essential program, not just a nice program. We’re making a difference in people’s lives,” BBBS Alaska CEO Taber Rehbaum had to say of the program.

Lemonade Day is part of a program founded in 2007 to teach kids to start, own and operate their own business — a lemonade stand.

According to the Lemonade Day web site, the program is “a strategic 14-step process that walks youth from a dream to a business plan, while teaching them the same principles required to start any big company. Inspiring kids to work hard and make a profit, they are also taught to spend some, save some and share some by giving back to their community.”