TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Jodi Phelps, Assistant City Manager
FROM: Christopher Cauley, MPA, Economic and Community Development
Director
Taylor Floyd, Budget & Evaluation Director
DATE: October 26, 2026
RE:
Title
Adopt Appropriation Ordinance and Authorize City Manager to Execute a Two-Year Agreement with Cumberland County CommuniCare, Inc. for the Reclaiming Futures Youth Mentoring Program
end
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
All
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal I: Safe and Secure Community
• Strategic Priority 1: Continue implementing a comprehensive approach to community safety.
Goal II: Economic and Strategic Growth
• Objective 2.3: To leverage partnerships for job creation and retention, with a focus on the local and regional workforce to increase per capita income.
Goal III: Highly Desirable Place to Live, Work and Recreate
• Objective 3.2: To enhance diverse recreation, leisure, and cultural opportunities.
• Objective 3.6: To reduce poverty and homelessness.
Goal V: Collaborative Citizen and Business Engagement
• Objective 5.1: To ensure collaborative relationships with the business community, local governments, military, and stakeholders.
• Objective 5.3: To inform and educate about local government by enhancing public outreach and increasing community dialogue, collaboration, and empowerment.
Executive Summary:
City Council is asked to adopt the accompanying appropriation ordinance appropriating $100,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) interest earnings and authorize the City Manager to execute a two-year agreement with Cumberland County CommuniCare, Inc. for the Reclaiming Futures youth mentoring program through June 30, 2028.
Background:
Reclaiming Futures began in 2021 as a collaboration among CommuniCare, Cumberland County District Court, and Cumberland County Public Schools to provide mentoring and enrichment for youth. During the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 budget process, City Council allocated $200,000 for youth-based initiatives. The City later entered into a Reclaiming Futures agreement effective January 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025, for $50,000.
In June 2025, City Council appropriated an additional $30,000 and extended the agreement through June 30, 2026, when it expired. At the October 5, 2026, City Council’s Work Session, Council considered Council Member Malik Davis's request for two additional years at $50,000 per year and provided consensus to move forward with funding of $50,000 per year for two years. The proposed agreement provides $50,000 in FY 2026-27 and $50,000 in FY 2027-28.
Issues/Analysis:
Reclaiming Futures is a multi-site youth mentoring and diversion initiative serving eligible City of Fayetteville youth, particularly low-income and at-risk youth, including those involved with or at risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system. The program provides structured mentoring, family engagement, school-based activities, life-skills development, educational and career support, financial literacy, wellness education, and enrichment.
Economic and Community Development Department (ECD) monitoring records include 42 monthly reporting periods from January 2023 through June 2026. By spring 2026, program reporting reflected approximately 233 individuals and 180 households across nine school sites and program components. These figures represent reported participation snapshots rather than a cumulative, unduplicated count of individuals served throughout the program's history.
Documented activities included programming at E.E. Smith, Pine Forest, Anne Chesnutt, Cumberland Polytechnic, Westarea, South View, Seventy-First, and A.B. Wilkins, along with CommuniCare's family-based mentoring component. Programming incorporated community mentors, educational workshops, family activities, and structured youth development opportunities. Topics included academic success, goal setting, decision-making, conflict resolution, leadership, mental health and wellness, financial literacy, college and career readiness, STEM education, skilled trades, community service, and positive adult relationships.
Program performance reports documented several positive outcomes, including:
• No new juvenile charges reported among participating youth.
• A reported 95% decrease in behavioral issues.
• Improvements in social and emotional skills.
• Stronger relationships with positive adult mentors.
• Increased cultural awareness, career readiness, etiquette, and life skills.
These outcomes were reported by CommuniCare and documented through ECD's program monitoring process. The proposed agreement requires quarterly program and financial reporting, reimbursement only for eligible and documented expenses, and continued ECD monitoring to ensure compliance with program requirements and appropriate use of City funds.
Budget Impact:
The accompanying budget amendment appropriates $100,000 from interest earnings on American Rescue Plan Act funds to fund this agreement through FY 2027-28.
Options:
1. Adopt the accompanying appropriation ordinance to appropriate $100,000 in funding and authorize the City Manager to execute the two-year funding agreement with Cumberland County CommuniCare, Inc. for the Reclaiming Futures youth mentoring program.
2. Do not adopt the accompanying appropriation ordinance or authorize the City Manager to execute the funding agreement, and provide guidance to staff.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends that Council move to adopt the accompanying appropriation ordinance to appropriate $100,000 in funding and authorize the City Manager to execute the two-year funding agreement with Cumberland County CommuniCare, Inc. for the Reclaiming Futures youth mentoring program.
Attachments:
• Mentoring Program Proposal III
• Special Revenue Fund Project Ordinance 26-0714