AF Grand Rapids awards February’s grant to support Kentwoodpalooza!

Teenagers often struggle to find a place where they feel welcome, said Greg Lewis, librarian at the Kentwood branch of the Kent District Library.

That’s why Lewis was ecstatic to win a $1,000 grant in February from the Grand Rapids Awesome Foundation to support Kentwoodpalooza, a music event for teenagers that will kick off the library’s Summer Reading Club.

Lewis put on a smaller version of the event last summer, but thanks to the grant money he will put on an “even bigger, better event” this year. Kentwoodpalooza will take place on June 13th beginning at 4 p.m. and will feature a local professional band as well as many teen bands. The event will also have food, root beer kegs, a caricaturist, and prizes given away. Any local teen bands interested in playing can fill out an application on the library website.

Lewis hopes that Kentwoodpalooza will bring a lot of teens to the library, but also show them that they’re welcome to spend time there with the Summer Reading Club.

“I’m really all about letting them know there’s a place that they can go to that is for them,” Lewis said. “If you could make a difference in one kid’s life, it’s worth it.”

>> Read the full article @ The Rapidian…