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Happy Wednesday, Toledo!
I'm thrilled to announce that we have a new Kid Mayor! Gabrielle Mukiira, a 4th grader at Grove Patterson Elementary, will be joining us this year to learn about city operations and present a policy to Toledo City Council based on the issues she and her fellow Kid Council members determine throughout the year. Gabby is an inspiring young person who has already made a positive impact in our community through her love of dance, art, and spreading positivity. I am confident that Gabby and our Kid Council will bring fresh ideas and perspectives that will help shape our city's future.
In other news, I want to highlight the incredible work of the HOPE Toledo program. This initiative has been providing high-quality preschool education and college scholarships for our students for three years now, and I am proud that we've been able to expand our preschool program to 20 providers, with enrollment growing to 270 children this year. For our post-secondary students, over 200 are currently working towards a degree or certificate at a college, university, or trade school. We're proud of the progress we've made, but we know there is more work to be done. As we look to expand this program and assist even more families, we must have a strong conversation about what sustainable funding looks like in our community.
Finally, I want to provide an update on our search for a new police chief. Last week, we invited 70 community members to observe the interviews of the top 9 candidates. It was an important step in our process, and we're grateful for the feedback we received. We'll continue to work to narrow the list further, with the goal of finding a leader who will work closely with our community to build trust and ensure that Toledo remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone.
Have a wonderful week, Toledo!
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