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Indy's Safe Summer program helped about 700 kids

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INDIANAPOLIS — A program in Indianapolis that aims to keep kids off the streets and out of trouble during the summer months is about to wrap up for the season.

The 'Safe Summer Initiative' started at the beginning of July, where local community groups provided activities for young people.

Organizers say the events are supervised, but not policed — and there's something for everyone.

Shonna Majors, Director of Community Violence Reduction for Indianapolis, says the program has helped between 650 to 700 students this summer.

"And not only was it fun for those families and kids, but we also talk a lot about conflict resolution," Majors said. "And how to resolve conflicts when they arise, instead of having an emotional response, such as picking up a gun and going to hurt someone. To talk it out and work it out. And so, I think that a lot of our kids have walked away this summer with some really great coping skills and tips to do that."

On Friday the city is hosting an end of summer celebration for the safe summer initiative at two locations.

One location will be at Frederick Douglass Park near 25th Street and Dr. Andrew J. Brown and the second will be at Windsor Village Park off of 21st Street and Arlington.

The celebration at Frederick Douglass Park begins at 7 p.m., and the one at Windsor Village starts at 8 p.m.