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The LaGrange City Council was updated Tuesday on the current and future plans of Communities of Tomorrow, a nonprofit mentorship program they elected to fund earlier this year.

Teara Harris, CEO of Communities of Tomorrow, told the council there are plans in place to expand the program’s resources. Currently, it offers services such as financial literacy classes and mock-job interviews that connect participants with potential employers. It also introduces participants to volunteer activities.

The program also focuses on elements of stress management through initiatives like Wholistic Stress Control. Harris said Communities of Tomorrow partnered with Wholistic this past summer and assisted 124 youth with learning emotional self-awareness.

In the future, Communities of Tomorrow wants to expand its apprenticeship program and workforce development, as well as incorporate culture development, racial trustbuilding and diversity appreciation into its curriculum.

“We’re going to make sure that when [students] leave, no matter what they decide to do or where they go, these are the tools that they can take [with them],” Harris said.

Currently, the program assists as many as 20 high school students in the community. The program also assists with job placement after high school and helps students gain access to secondary education avenues.

In other business:

4The council approved a Board of Planning and Zoning Appeals recommendation on a request to rezone property located in the 1400 block of Vernon St. The applicant intends to develop the area for a proposed 320-unit housing development. Several council members voiced hesitancy at the pre-meeting work session with approving the recommendation due to the possible traffic issues a development could cause on Vernon Rd. and Vernon St. The PZA approved the plan with the condition that an easement be included in the development to assist with these traffic concerns.

4The council approved Board of Planning and Zoning Appeals recommendation on proposed Unified Development Ordinance text amendments.

4The council approved the annexation and rezoning of property owned by McOne Development, LLC and located at 1360 LaFayette Parkway. The facility will be used as a showroom for BC Stone Homes LLC.