Noah Johnson Daily Press A group of kids gather on the floor as Y.E.S. Mentor Laurie Kramer reads from a book titled The World Needs More Purple People.

ESCANABA — The Escanaba Library is partnering with three organizations to bring a night of family fun to the area every month.

United Way, Youth Empowerment Services (Y.E.S.), and Delta-Schoolcraft Great Start Family Coalition host Family Fun Night on the third Wednesday of each month from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Each month, United Way and Y.E.S. take turns creating a theme and hosting a group of youths up to age eight for a night of learning, socializing and fun.

This past week, Y.E.S. kicked off the event with the theme: Y.E.S. You Can Be a Mentor Too!

Nearly 20 kids attended, listening to stories, singing along to a fun video, making a sensory craft, coloring and snacks.

“We’ve read a story called The Dot, and The World Needs More Purple People, and we are encouraging some of the things that we see in mentoring through those books, like helping others, recognizing things in ourselves to bring to the world, and encouraging one another, working together,” said Y.E.S. Executive Director Tiffany Hewitt.

One activity involved the youth getting in a circle and passing around a lantern; when the lantern is given to the next person, the one passing it shares something they admire about the person receiving it. Some of the kids were quiet but couldn’t help but smile when they got to hold the lantern.

In line with the reading of The World Needs More Purple People, the youth worked with Hewitt and others to make a sensory toy using a sandwich bag and blue and red hair gel. The youth mixed up the two gels to make the color purple. The bag is then taped to a window or a wall, and youth can use their fingers or another dull object to write different letters, numbers, or pictures. The bags are taped shut to avoid any unwanted mess.

Hewitt said Family Fun Night is an excellent opportunity for families to get out and interact with others in the community.

“Learning in the community gives parents a chance to have an opportunity for them to learn something outside the home, and maybe they’re not quite in school yet. It’s something to do in the winter as well. As we know, it’s nice to have things to get out to,” she said.

She added that the collaborative efforts between the organizations make experiences like Family Fun Night all the better.

“We normally see kids during the school day, but this gives us a chance to see them in a different environment. The collaboration is kind of key here. We’re all bringing something different to the table,” Hewitt said.

Great Start Family Liaison Laurie Mold said the library needed some assistance with Family Fun Night as it is transitioning following the retirement of long-time and beloved children’s librarian Pat Fittante. Mold said Great Start was happy to help.

“We said we would come in and kind of help with some programming in the interim,” Mold said.

“This is just really a great opportunity for us to get out in the community and be the face of our organization.”

The next Family Fun Night is scheduled for Feb. 19, where United Way takes its turn with the theme, Growing Kindness Together.

Family Fun Night is a free event, and there is no need to register. It takes place on the third Wednesday of each month in the Escanaba City Council Chambers from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The event is designed for kids up to age eight.

The full calendar of library events can be found at escanabalibrary.org.