Left to right, Computer Camp students Te’Von Watson, 13, Benjamin Thene, 13, Kennith Sargent, 11, and Kimani Portier, 9, practice computer skills with coach Rob Derouse at the A Positive Step of Monroe County summer Computer Camp.

Idle Hands Summer Youth Program, cancelled due to COVID-19, replaced with Computer Education Summer Camp for kids

Traditionally, every year since 2010, A Positive Step of Monroe County has partnered with the City of Key West to provide desirable summer employment for teens via the APSMC Idle Hands Summer Youth Program, a program which unfortunately had to be canceled this year due to COVID-19.

With kids facing a long summer, and because of the pandemic, one with fewer of the freedoms they would normally enjoy, APSMC founder and Executive Director Billy Davis began seeking out an alternative opportunity that would keep young people occupied, motivated and challenged. Enter Key West resident and tech specialist Rob Derouse, who, following the George Floyd murder, came to a decision that he wanted to help make a difference in the lives of local kids while also helping them learn new skills. Derouse reached out to Davis and the idea for a computer summer camp was born. 

Davis, who founded APSMC – a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization – in 1999 to serve Monroe County’s highest risk kids and their families, is well connected with other local youth-mentoring organizations, so his next step was to contact friend and colleague Lynne Casamayor, a College Success Coach for Take Stock in Children. Casamayor set out identifing potential computer campers from among Take Stock participants, Derouse purchased six computers, and Reverend Dr. Darryl Robinson made Trinity Wesleyan Methodist Church’s Fellowship Hall available to the group. The first of two four-week-long sessions, fully funded through the Key West Sunrise Rotary Club and private donors, was launched on June 15.

Derouse starts the students, aged 9-12, with learning to type, which leads to learning coding along with computer repair. Classes take place from 10-3, Monday through Friday and each student’s progress is charted so they can see how much they’ve accomplished each week. A recent report of student typing WPM (words per minute) and accuracy: Amauri Butler, 26/93; Benjamin Thiel, 18/95; Kennith Sargent, 30/96; Te’Von Watson, 24/98; Kimani Poitier, 18/92; Ki-Lijah Sargent 18/96.

Each of the students receives $100 per week during the camp, to help buy school supplies and also possibly help financially at home during the pandemic. Other Take Stock in Children students accrue community service hours by making lunches for the campers and some have even started their own candy-making business.

The students all wear masks and practice social distancing. Davis says there is potential for the camp to continue in the future as an after school program, and he is also talking with The Boys & Girls Club’s new Executive Director Judi Leggett about similar opportunities for her organization’s children.

The goal, says Davis, “is to impart skills, self-confidence, and the courage to move forward in life with a “can do attitude.”’

In other news, APSMC has been rapidly adapting to changing circumstances due to the pandemic.

  • On July 14, APSMC was invited to join the Healthy Families Monroe County Advisory Board by Joy Thompson, Prevention Services Program Manager for Wesley House Family Services.
  • With support of a private donation via the Key West Sunrise Rotary Club APSMC has undertaken another round of relief deliveries, including prepared meals, groceries, and cleaning supplies for the Jack T. Murray Senior Citizen Complex.
  • July 6 also began the new fiscal year for the APSMC Southernmost Fatherhood Initiative Program, funded by the Ounce of Prevention Fund and The Keys Open Door Foundation. Using ZOOM and conference calls APSMC continues to provide services to dads in the program. APSMC will meet with Wesley House Family Services new Executive Director Aleida Jacobo and other members of Wesley House administrative staff on July 22 for further program development, and is targeting August to re-enter and re-initiate the program provided at the Monroe County Detention Center.

For more information about A Positive Step of Monroe County contact Billy Davis at 305-304-1969 or at [email protected].

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