Ever said, ‘There’s nothing to do in Merced’? App-makers aim to prove you wrong

A nonprofit has built a smartphone app that staffers hope will put an end to the often used phrase, “There’s nothing to do in Merced.”

Merced Youth Connect is the name of both the nonprofit and the app, which is available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play, according to Emily Tolsma, the nonprofit’s chief communications officer.

“Basically the idea is the statement, ‘There’s nothing to do in Merced,’ “ she said about the app’s origin. “Clearly there’s room for improvement, but the conversation starts with what is there.”

The nonprofit is a collaboration of a volunteer staff and board of directors, and the app went live in April.

“Our board is pretty reflective of the community,” Tolsma said.

The app collects all of the events, classes and other activities into its calendar, which shows farmers markets, art classes and parent support groups, to name a few.

When specific times of year are approaching, the app teases out those events into its own sections, Tolsma said. For example, swimming got its own section all summer and Father’s Day was also highlighted.

The app is just getting off the ground so it focuses on Atwater and Merced, Tolsma said, with hopes to reach the Westside with time.

The city of Merced, Merced Union High School District, Merced County Library and other established groups partner with the app-makers to keep the calendar updated.

Groups and organizers can ask to get their events put in the app by emailing myc@mercedyouthconnect.com. The nonprofit’s website is www.mercedyouthconnect.com.

This story was originally published August 12, 2018 at 2:10 PM with the headline "Ever said, ‘There’s nothing to do in Merced’? App-makers aim to prove you wrong."