City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MOUNT
VERNON YOUTH BUREAU TO HOST THE NATIONAL
LIGHTS ON AFTER-SCHOOL RESOURCE EVENT
ANNUALLY ON THE THIRD THURSDAY OF OCTOBER
Whereas, by correspondence dated October 1, 2026, the Deputy Director of the Youth Bureau requested that the City Council enact legislation authorizing the Youth Bureau to organize and host the National Lights on After-School Resource Event annually on the third Thursday of October, commencing in 2026 and continuing each year thereafter, subject to applicable City policies, procedures, and requirements; and
Whereas, the National Lights on Afterschool initiative recognizes the importance of providing children and youth with safe, enriching, and supervised activities during the after-school hours, particularly during the critical period between approximately 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.; and
Whereas, positive youth development programs and meaningful after-school activities play an important role in promoting the academic, social, emotional, and overall well-being of children and youth in the community; and
Whereas, the National Lights on Afterschool initiative is a nationwide effort designed to raise awareness of the importance of after-school programs and the critical role such programs play in supporting children, families, and communities; and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon will join more than 7,500 sites across the nation in participating in Lights on Afterschool activities to promote positive youth development and highlight the importance of keeping children engaged in safe and constructive activities during after-school hours; and
Whereas, this year, the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau, in collaboration with the Department of Recreation and community-based organizations, including the Boys & Girls Club, Daisy’s Dream, YCOP, New Flex, and other organizations serving the City’s youth, will provide information, resources, and opportunities to children, youth, parents, and families; and
Whereas, the annual event will highlight the positive youth development programs available within the City of Mount Vernon and showcase educational, recreational, cultural, and community-based activities and services available to children and their families; and
Whereas, the event will reinforce the City’s commitment to ‘keep the lights on’ by keeping doors open to opportunities, resources, and positive programming that support children, youth, and their parents and guardians; and
Whereas, the City Council finds that establishing an annual National Lights on Afterschool event will promote community engagement, strengthen partnerships among municipal departments and community-based organizations, and advance the health, safety, and well-being of the City’s youth; and
Whereas, the City Council further finds that authorizing the event on an annual basis will provide the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau with a consistent opportunity to coordinate and promote youth services and resources throughout the City; now, therefore, be it
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Authorization of Annual National Lights on Afterschool Event. The Mount Vernon Youth Bureau is hereby authorized to coordinate, organize, and host the National Lights on Afterschool Resource Event annually within the City of Mount Vernon, New York, on the third Thursday of October of each year.
Section 2. Location. The annual National Lights on Afterschool Resource Event shall be held at City Hall Plaza, or at such other City-owned property as may be designated by the City, based upon availability, public safety, operational considerations, weather conditions, or other circumstances deemed appropriate.
Section 3. Purpose of Event. The purpose of the annual event shall be to:
1. Promote positive youth development and the importance of quality after-school programming;
2. Provide children and youth with information concerning safety, educational, recreational, cultural, and constructive activities available within the City;
3. Connect parents, guardians, children, and youth with municipal departments, community-based organizations, youth-serving agencies, and other available resources;
4. Highlight the programs and services provided by the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau, Department of Recreation, and participating community organizations; and
5. Promote the City’s commitment to supporting children and families during after-school hours and to ‘keep the lights on’ by maintaining access to positive programs, services, and opportunities.
Section 4. Community and Organizational Participation. The Mount Vernon Youth Bureau is authorized to coordinate with City departments, public agencies, nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, youth-serving organizations, schools, and other appropriate partners in planning and conducting the annual event.
This year, participating organizations may include, but shall not be limited to, the Boys & Girls Club, Daisy’s Dream, YCOP, New Flex, and other organizations providing programs, services, resources, and opportunities for children, youth, and families.
Section 5. Annual Planning and Coordination. The Mount Vernon Youth Bureau shall be responsible for coordinating the annual event, including outreach to participating organizations, scheduling, programming, resource distribution, site coordination, and such other activities as may be reasonably necessary to conduct the event.
The Youth Bureau shall coordinate with the appropriate City departments and agencies to ensure that the event is conducted in accordance with applicable City requirements concerning public safety, sanitation, use of City property, insurance, permits, and other applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
Section 6. No Exclusive Right to City Property. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to grant any participating organization an exclusive right, leasehold interest, or permanent entitlement to City Hall Plaza or any other City-owned property. The location of the annual event shall remain subject to the City's operational needs and the availability and suitability of the designated property.
Section 7. Annual Event. The authorization provided by this Ordinance shall remain in effect on an annual and continuing basis, permitting the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau to host the National Lights on Afterschool Resource Event each year on the third Thursday of October, subject to the provisions of this Ordinance and applicable law.
Section 8. Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance or the application thereof to any person, entity, or circumstance is adjudged invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect or impair the validity of the remaining provisions of this Ordinance or their application to other persons, entities, or circumstances.
Section 9. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption by the City Council.