Inexpensive Summer Fun: Leisure Bucks
The City of Modesto's summer classes are always a good deal, but for city residents with lower incomes ($45,200 for a family of four), or those who live in a HUD Designated low-income neighborhood, the Leisure Bucks program is a great path to summer fun. The allotment is $100 per child, and will can be used to cover up to 90 percent of most classes offered through the city and some "Cosponsored Youth Sports Organization" activities. So, for a $30 swim class, your out-of-pocket cost is $3.
Things to Know:
* Program details can be found here; depending on how you qualify, you'll need proof of address and/or income. You also need proof of the children's ages.
* It takes about two weeks to get the Leisure Bucks card(s) in the mail, so plan accordingly.
* For the City of Modesto summer activity guide, go here. You can't use e-Connect with Leisure Bucks, which is kind of a bummer for people who like to do everything via computer, but the city staff is extremely friendly and helpful.
* There may still be funds available for this fiscal year, with the caveat that you'd need to sign up your child for classes before June 30. The new fiscal year begins July 1, so in theory you could apply today for the current fiscal year and get your card(s) just before the new fiscal year begins. Then you could apply again in late June, and have funds to use until the end of June 2010.
Even if you don't qualify for Leisure Bucks, you should still check out the activity guide. There are plenty of classes for people of all ages, from archery to tennis. There is also a huge list of free programs for kids and adults, with everything from break dancing and gymnastics to bingo to family movie nights.
- Everyday_Geekery's blog
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Leisure Bucks.....
The Leisure Bucks Program is a really good program the City of Modesto offers. If I remember correctly, Council Member Keating wanted to eliminate this program altogether as part of the budget cuts. I am glad the other Council Members did not follow suit......
Thanks for the post Everyday_Geekery.
Actually hold on there a min. Mark....
That very well might be - she does keep bringing them up - but she has several times made reference to their importance as has Marsh.
Just throwing that out there - that's all.
Robert....
Thanks for the clarification. After I posted the comment, I was actually wondering if it was true or not, and was like "oh crap."
There was however discussion in the Budget Committe on reducing or eliminating this program, right???? I know I heard/read this somewhere.
Oh yes...many times....
It's one of those items that come up on the chopping block again and again - I forget exactly how it is financed but in the past there has been some fancy footwork to keep it going.
Personally if a family needs to invest 100.00 - that would discount practically all of my clientele.
@Robert
You said, "If a family needs to invest $100.00..." My wording may have been unclear: There is no charge for families to apply for or receive Leisure Bucks. The allotment is $100 per child per year, and the amount will cover up to 90 percent of a class/activity's cost. So, it's not entirely free to take classes using Leisure Bucks, but it puts the classes within reach of most families.
Sounds like a worthwhile program.
I am happy you posted about it E_G.
Leisure Bucks
It doesn't sound like a worthwhile program, it IS a worthwhile program. And, I am glad the City Council decided NOt to reduce its funding as part of the current budget cuts.
Yes as am I - my problem has always been
that the families that I work with fall out of the most category and every dollar is used to keep things going.
But I am not knocking the leisure bucks program, I am just saying that it does not finish the job, but it sure does come close.
Sorry about the misunderstanding there - that is good to hear - I am going to have to follow up on that and see what I can do with it.