Mayor Cherelle Parker announces summer programs for Philadelphia youth, families
PHILADELPHIA - Summer will be here before we know it, so Philadelphia is already preparing to make it a season full of fun for the entire city.
Mayor Cherelle Parker announced programs and activities planned for Philadelphia's youth and their families this summer during a press conference Tuesday afternoon.
#ITSASUMMERTHING
The initiative is called "#ItsASummerThing" and promises to deliver "an exciting line-up of fun, enriching, and adult-supervised, free or low-cost activities and programs for children, teens, and families all season long."
Mayor Parker explained, "We know that keeping young people engaged and active can improve not only their physical health and well-being but prevent learning loss and reduce violence."
The mayor outlined the programs alongside several city leaders, including Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Free Library of Philadelphia, School District of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Police, Office of Children and Families, and others.
With millions of dollars for what city officials call "thousands and thousands of slots for kids", Philadelphia will offer summer camps in every neighborhood focusing on performing and visual arts, e-sports, basketball, baseball, and non-traditional sports.
PHILADELPHIA POOLS
And, in Philly, the summer means pools. The Parks and Rec Commissioner is promising 60 will be open.
"Lifeguards are our heroes throughout the summer. They are our heroes. We need 400. 60 pools, 400 lifeguards.," P&R Commissioner, Susan Slawson explained.
There's cash to lure them, meaning $1,000 at the end of summer, if they sign up by April 15th, $500 one month later.
SUMMER JOBS
8,000 paid summer jobs are available, say city officials, in an effort to hook kids to career interests. "Our older youth and teens will be able to benefit from paid work-based learning experiences that will help them shape their futures," Mayor Parker stated. "Idle minds can lead to things that we don’t want our young people engaged in."
MEALS FOR KIDS IN SUMMER
Vanessa Harrett Harley, with the Office of Children and Families, continued, "We do understand food insecurity for some of our young people. They typically eat at school. In the summer, they need access to meals."
The school district will open 123 of its buildings across the city for 23,000 students to combat what it calls the "summer slide" of learning loss. But, with recent shootings of young people often by attackers their own age, the fear of violence is ever-present. Philadelphia's police commissioner will apply shoe leather.
"We're adding foot beats back to our deployment. As we get to June, we'll have 128 men and women on foot," Commissioner Kevin Bethel said.
Some Additional Programs:
- Summer of Wonder and Science at Free Library of Philadelphia
- Intensive Prevention Services for at risk young people in the juvenile justice system
- Police Athletic League
- Don't Fall Down in the Hood
- Summer Learning Programs with School District of Philadelphia
- Community Evening Resource Centers
More information on the programs, as well as links for job applications and locators for pools and parks and recreation camps, plus more can be found on the city's #ItsASummerThing site.