Address: Tarpon Springs, FL
our story
For more than 30 years, the Cops ’n Kids Youth Center has provided free, year-round after-school and summer programming for youth ages 5–17. Established in 1994, the program was created to give children and teens a safe, supportive place to learn, build positive relationships and develop the skills and confidence needed for lifelong success.
Through academic support, mentoring, recreation, enrichment activities and community partnerships, CNK helps young people succeed in school, discover new interests and prepare for brighter futures. The program also supports families by providing dependable, high-quality programming during after-school hours and school breaks.
Cops ’n Kids is managed through the Local Community Housing Corporation (LCHC), a nonprofit instrumentality of the Tarpon Springs Housing Authority, in partnership with the City of Tarpon Springs Police Department. This longstanding collaboration brings together education, mentorship, community resources and positive relationships with law enforcement to benefit youth and families throughout the Tarpon Springs community.
Since its founding, CNK has grown into a trusted community program with a strong history of service and performance. Program administration and daily operations are conducted in accordance with applicable licensing, health and safety requirements and the standards of program funders and monitoring agencies, including the Juvenile Welfare Board and the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.
Our passion and mission is to enrich the lives of youth ages 5-17 years of age through dynamic high-quality year-round after-school and summer camp programming. With the support of our partners, families and donors, we provide opportunities that help young people learn, grow and thrive.
Meet Our Staff
Each team member brings his or her own unique culture, credentials, and professional experience to the Center. Staff on and off site have decades of experience in multiple fields that specialize caring for children such as education, psychology, child care, military, out of school time, and behavioral health. We are dedicated to support youth with a trauma sensitive approach understanding that exposure to early traumatic experiences play a significant part in managing all aspects of life.
We are especially grateful for the direct role modeling and resources provided by the City of Tarpon Springs Police Department leadership and Officers. They visit the Center weekly to interact with youth and support staff whether it be through homework help, chaperoning off site trips, playing games, etc.
A proud Cops ’n Kids alumna, Jamilet joined the team in 2013 as an Assistant Youth Specialist and worked her way up to Program Director. She holds a Child Development Associate credential and is committed to helping youth recognize their strengths and reach their potential. She also mentors with Take Stock in Children.
Ryan is a Cops ’n Kids alumnus who has served the program since 2011. He is passionate about mentoring middle and high school students and building positive relationships with youth. Ryan also oversees the Cops ’n Kids garden and serves as a Take Stock in Children mentor.
Danna joined Cops ’n Kids in 2024 and has worked in education since 2009. She holds a master’s degree in art education and a reading endorsement. Danna provides individual and small-group academic support, leads summer art activities and serves as a Take Stock in Children mentor.
Allyson has more than 28 years of experience working with youth, including over 20 years at Cops ’n Kids. She manages program data, files, and attendance records. Known as the Youth Center’s matriarch, Allyson has made a lasting impact as a mentor, teacher and trusted source of wisdom.
Anahis joined the team in 2023 and is a proud Cops ’n Kids alumna. She leads the Kindergarten–2nd Grade group and develops creative, meaningful activities that accommodate different ages and learning levels. Her experience as a former participant gives her a personal understanding of the program’s impact.
Jayla has worked with youth since 2023 and joined Cops ’n Kids in 2024. She leads the 3rd–5th Grade A group and uses creative approaches to teach academic concepts and important life skills. She is committed to making learning meaningful, engaging and enjoyable.
Johnel has worked with youth since 2021 and joined Cops ’n Kids in 2025. A proud program alumnus, he leads the 3rd–5th Grade B group and emphasizes reading comprehension as an essential skill that supports learning and achievement across every subject.
Sheidyliz joined Cops ’n Kids in 2026 after completing four years of Early Childhood Education at Tarpon Springs High School. A proud program alumna, she assists with the Kindergarten–2nd Grade group and youth transportation while giving back to the program that helped shape her.
Officer Bird has served with the Tarpon Springs Police Department since 2007 and joined Cops ’n Kids in 2023. He supports youth transportation and Center safety while building positive relationships with participants. He is known for his humor, cooking skills and willingness to help.
Leadership
Established in 1994, the Cops ‘n Kids Youth Center is managed in partnership between the Local Community Housing Corporation (LCHC) sister organization of Tarpon Springs Housing Authority and the City of Tarpon Springs Police Department. This partnership has made a positive impact on the lives of students for 25 years!
All aspects administration and daily operations is monitored by quality assurance agencies such as the Pinellas County Licensing Board, Health Department, and program funders such as the Juvenile Welfare Board and the Department of Juvenile Justice. The Cops ‘n Kids Youth Center has an excellent history of performance as prescribed by monitoring agencies.
Community Partners
We are grateful to our partners and supporters whose continued collaboration and generosity help Cops ‘n Kids provide meaningful opportunities for the youth and families we serve.
“Cops ‘n kids is basically my second home. It’s a place where I take a break from the pressure of school and home while still staying educated and cared for. The people in Cops ‘n kids are close to family to me, and I have grown to want a successful future and a positive outlook on life thanks to their guidance. The program presents many opportunities to a vast variety of student and represents them all in their own special way. Simple tutoring, fun lesson plans, and student bonding are all simple yet usually overlooked things that through cops and kids are provided to all grades. With the help of counselors and staff you can take lessons and skillful leadership traits and learn life skills, current environmental changes, and stay in the know with issues of today that are not properly brought to light and awareness. One special thing I love about cops and kids is the obvious display of representation to all ethnicities by doing things like highlighting black history month and Hispanic heritage month, informing kids of all ages the importance of backgrounds and cultural upbringing. They show individualism in their hands on learning experiences and the ability to help students firsthand giving them the attention to detail and focus they might not be able to fully get from a worksheet in a classroom or an instruction video.”
High School Senior
Participant for 3 years now
“I started Cops ‘n Kids 5 years ago. Cops ‘n Kids is a great program for us kids. They help us with everything like homework and projects. The staff are Super nice and respectful. It’s also lots of stuff to learn about while you’re here at Cops ‘n Kids. You can make new friends and meet new people. We learn new things every day. “
9th grade
Participant since the 5th grade
“I would gladly recommend the Cops ‘N Kids program. They have been a blessing to me and my kids. They have so many different activities as well as helping them with schoolwork and tutors for any subjects that need improvements. Team leaders keep them engaged and, in the summer, they can get to do so much more like field trips to the zoo, aquarium, pools, parks ext. I couldn’t be more pleased with how great Cops ‘N Kids are to my kids. We are so grateful to have them.”
Dad of 3 kids
In the program for 4 years
“My kindergartner started this summer and absolutely loves the program, her group leader, and all the fun activities! As a parent, I really appreciate the communication about her education and behavior. I also love that she gets extra support from the tutor a couple of times a week. We are so happy with the program!”
Mom of kindergartner
Who began summer of 2026
“5/5 Stars! We absolutely love Cops N Kids! This is our daughter’s third year attending, and we are so grateful for the amazing staff who make learning fun, help with homework, and provide so many great activities that support what the kids are learning in school. I also love how much they involve families with special events throughout the year—it truly feels like a wonderful community, and we couldn’t recommend them more!”
Mom of participant
That has been here for 3 years
“I like Cops ‘n Kids because they have people to talk to. And they also provide us with food. The group leaders are nice. My favorite part of Cops ‘n Kids is the summer with all of the field trips. I also like how they separate the groups from grade so I ca stick with the kids in my age group. Cops ‘n Kids is a great place to go after school. They help you with your homework, too. It’s a great place to go. “
6th grade
Participant of 3 years
Dad of 3 kids
In the program for 4 years
6th grade
Participant of 3 years
Mom of participant
That has been here for 3 years
High School Senior
Participant for 3 years now
Mom of kindergartner
Who began summer of 2026
9th grade
Participant since the 5th grade
High School Senior
Participant for 3 years now
9th grade
Participant since the 5th grade
Dad of 3 kids
In the program for 4 years
Mom of kindergartner
Who began summer of 2026
Mom of participant
That has been here for 3 years
6th grade
Participant of 3 years