A nonprofit youth counseling center will get nearly $18,000 in city money to fund a six-week summer camp, an increase of $16,000 from previous allocations approved by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

Monday’s vote on funding for Central Mississippi Prevention Services was 2-1.

“A lot of these programs are not usually tied to city responsibilities,” Mayor Paul Winfield said, “but I do believe that, as leaders, it’s incumbent upon us to provide programs to offer services to fill the need. We have a lot of young people here who lack a lot of opportunities and so we need to provide a platform that is productive.”

South Ward Alderman Sid Beauman cast the dissenting vote.

“I am very impressed with their program,” he said, “but I was thinking along the lines of $5,000, not $17,000.”

In previous years, the city has given $1,500 to CMPS’ programs, which are open to the public.

The board voted to grant $17,815.50 to CMPS, which will match that money to fund their six-week camp that has enrolled as many as 130 students. The camp this year begins June 1.

The city’s share will help fund a satellite summer camp, held for the second year at the Vicksburg Housing Authority main office on Elizabeth Circle. The main camp is at 2406 Grove St.

Facility director Joseph Johnson said the camp’s programs, which will be taught by certified teachers and counselors, will engage students in “alternative activities” that teach life-training skills, problem-solving skills and social skills, as well as academics.

This year, Johnson said he wants to focus on reading.

“We’re trying to sell them on reading,” he said. “We know if we can get a child to read, we can help them academically.”

The camp also offers such recreational activities as swimming trips to the city pool or basketball games on the courts at the Grove Street facility.

CMPS was founded 11 years ago and also offers tutoring services, substance-abuse counseling, general counseling and state test preparation programs and meals for students.

CMPS also receives funds from United Way of West Central Mississippi, donations and state and federal grants.

Separately, the board also voted Monday to submit an application for a $35,000 grant under the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s Enhancement Urban Youth Corps program to offer summer jobs to young people.

The grant would provide jobs and life skill classes for students ages 16 to 25, city grant writer Marcia Weaver said.

The grant requires a 20 percent local match and students will be paid the minimum wage, which is $7.25 per hour.

“This type of initiative will help us because some of these dollars will be new dollars that we don’t have to spend of our own to continue with the projects,” Winfield said.

Last year, the board opened entry-level summer positions around City Hall for 45 students, chosen through a lottery.

Students were paid minimum wage, and the city spent about $30,000 for the entire project.