TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Doug Hewett, City Manager
FROM: Jeffrey Yates, Assistant City Manager
John Jones, Office of Community Safety Director
Jessica Legette, Parks, Recreation, and Maintenance Assistant Director
DATE: October 27, 2025
RE:Title
Administrative Report Concerning Massey Hill Recreation Afterschool Programming
Title
end
end
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
District 2
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal I: Safe and Secure Community
Goal II: Diverse and Viable Economy
Goal IV: Desirable Place to Live, Work and Recreate
Executive Summary:
During the September 2 work session, Councilmembers Davis and Benevente requested that staff conduct research and provide recommendations regarding potential afterschool programming at the Massey Hill Recreation Center, with a particular focus on serving students from Howard Learning Academy.
Additionally, the Councilmembers requested information on the annual cost to taxpayers for incarcerating a single youth.
Background:
The original Councilmember request included the following directives:
1. Research and Recommendations: Direct staff to research and provide detailed recommendations, including pros and cons, on how the City of Fayetteville can advance its municipal priority of addressing juvenile crime through afterschool programming at the Massey Hill Recreation Center. The goal is to create a positive impact on students attending Howard Learning Academy.
2. Cost Analysis: Calculate the annual cost to taxpayers of incarcerating a single youth-estimated at approximately $112,555-and compare this with the $4,000-$5,000 annual cost to serve one child in a high-quality afterschool program.
To accomplish these objectives, the request further directed staff to:
1. Review national materials from the November 17, 2023, National League of Cities seminar in Atlanta, “Furthering Municipal Priorities Through Afterschool Programs.”
2. Examine case studies, including the South Salt Lake City on the Move initiative, which achieved a 70% reduction in juvenile crime rates.
3. Validate research sources demonstrating that out-of-school-time (OST) programs reduce youth violence and victimization-particularly during the critical hours of 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., when incidents involving juveniles are five times more likely to occur than at 10:00 p.m. or later.
Staff conducted the requested research, with detailed findings provided in the attached memoranda and a summary included in the Issues/Analysis section of this agenda item.
Issues/Analysis:
A 1999 study by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) found that juvenile violent crime on school days peaks between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., when students are most likely to be unsupervised. In response, staff explored options for additional afterschool programming at the Massey Hill Recreation Center to serve students from Howard Learning Academy (HLA).
Howard Learning Academy serves 6th-8th grade students from across Cumberland County, with a small number residing in the Massey Hill area. At the time this information was prepared, 10 students were enrolled at HLA. Most rely on transportation provided by Cumberland County Schools, which presents logistical challenges for participation in afterschool activities.
Given the nature of the HLA student body and these transportation constraints, staff determined that afterschool programming specifically targeting HLA students may not be the most effective approach. However, the Parks, Recreation, and Maintenance Department is collaborating with HLA to offer additional recreational programming during the school day.
As requested, staff reviewed the Promise South Salt Lake initiative in South Salt Lake City, Utah. This program provides a comprehensive network of services, including youth afterschool and summer programs, adult education, community resource navigation, and referral support.
The Promise program was developed to meet the needs of the city’s large refugee population and is funded through a combination of grants and private donations. It operates at 14 locations citywide. Since its launch in 2012, South Salt Lake City has experienced an 85% reduction in juvenile crime, along with measurable improvements in academic performance and graduation rates among participating youth.
Currently, two afterschool programs operate in the Massey Hill community:
• Massey Hill Tigers Youth Group - Based at the Massey Hill Recreation Center, this program provides structured youth activities focused on mentorship and community engagement.
• Alexander Youth Network Day Treatment Program - Located at Howard Learning Academy, this program combines clinical and educational services designed to improve socialization, teamwork, friendship-building, and self-esteem.
The estimated annual cost of youth detention in North Carolina is approximately $89,000, while placement in a Youth Development Center (YDC) costs around $136,000 per youth per year. By comparison, high-quality afterschool programming typically costs between $4,000 and $5,000 per participant annually, depending on the scope, staffing, and quality of services provided.
Staff is continuing to develop additional recommendations. Preliminary findings suggest that both the Massey Hill Recreation Center and Howard Learning Academy already provide meaningful support and engagement opportunities for local youth.
The recommended next actions are to:
• Continue collecting and analyzing participation and neighborhood data;
• Identify and address barriers to program participation within the Massey Hill neighborhood; and
• Explore additional opportunities to strengthen partnerships and build on existing programs and resources.
Budget Impact:
None
Options:
1. Accept the report.
2. Accept report and bring the topic back to a work session to discuss and provide direction.
3. Not accept the report and provide staff additional direction.
Recommended Action::Recommended Action
For information only, no action required unless Council moves to add to an upcoming Work Session.
...end
Attachments:
1. City Council Agenda Item Request, “Massey Hill Rec Afterschool Programming”
2. Memo from John E. Jones, “City Council Agenda Item Request: Massey Hill Rec Afterschool Programming.”
3. Memo from Jessica Legette, “City Council Agenda Item Request: Massey Hill Rec Afterschool Programming.”