The city of Yakima will open its new Youth and Family Development Center later this month at the former Police Athletic League building on North 4th Street. City officials say it is the first step in an ongoing effort to steer young kids away from gang life. Assistant City Mayor and council member Maureen Adkison says the city has partnered with community organizations to help steer kids back on track or keep young kids from thinking about gang membership “we hope to attract even more partners with the city because the more help we can get the kids the better off the community will be.” The city has created partnerships with community organizations like People For People, the YMCA and the Union Gospel Mission to help kids and families with the resources they need to change lives and keep kids out of gangs. Those partners will operate from the Youth and Family Development Center starting June 25 when an open house in planned at the center located at 602 North 4th Street.

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