For Immediate Release: June 24, 2016
Published By: Office of the Mayor
Contact: Ricardo Calderon , (215) 686-2159, Ricardo.Calderon@phila.gov
Fun Safe Philly Summer brings meals, activities and learning for Philadelphia students throughout summer months
Philadelphia – Fun Safe Philly Summer, a citywide initiative that connects Philadelphia youth to free and low-cost summer programming, free summer meals, and summer jobs and opportunities, kicked off its fifth summer season today at Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center in North Philadelphia
This year’s kick-off event provided an afternoon of fun for children and families, and included a resource fair, free nutritious snacks for youth, music, and drop-in sports activities led by volunteers from the Philadelphia Area Disc Alliance and MVP360. Free healthy snacks were provided by the U. S. Department of Agriculture through the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation, and through generous donations provided by Trader Joe’s and the Garces Foundation. SERVE Philadelphia AmeriCorps VISTAs provided additional volunteer support throughout the event.
“Investing in young people’s growth as resilient, capable leaders is an important priority of Mayor Kenney and the Office of Public Engagement,” said Dr. Nina Ahmad, Deputy Mayor for Public Engagement. “It is critical our youth have resources to continue learning throughout the summer break. During the summer there are endless opportunities for our children to thrive and grow, learn in different ways, try new things, have fun, and give back to their communities.”
“Summer is finally here and it’s a great time for youth, families, residents and stakeholders to come together as a community and unite around fun, meals and enjoyable moments that will last a lifetime,” said Ricardo Calderon, Director of the Philadelphia Youth Commission, who oversees Fun Safe Philly Summer. “We’re excited to host our series of free ‘pop-up’ events throughout the city to provide healthy, engaging activities for youth. Let’s all do our part to have an incredible and safe summer.”
In March and April 2016, Fun Safe Philly Summer held Youth Resume Workshops designed to prepare Philadelphia youth for the summer job search, and held a Youth Summer Job Fair at Temple University on April 30, attended by nearly 500 young people.
Fun Safe Philly Summer also works alongside the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger to enhance access to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s free summer meals program, and conducts on-the-ground outreach in high need areas of the city. All youth 18 and under, as well as students with disabilities 19 and older who are enrolled in a school program, are eligible to receive free summer meals. Youth and families can call the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger at 1-855-252-6325, text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 877-877, or visit www.phillysummermeals.org to find nearby locations for free summer meals.
“We are pleased to join in kicking off the Fun Safe Philly Summer Campaign,” said USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon. “USDA is committed to reducing the summer hunger gap in cities and towns throughout the U.S., and we commend the city of Philadelphia for proactively ensuring that children and teens continue to have access to healthy meals when school is not in session.”
Each summer, Fun Safe Philly Summer organizes several Pop-Up events to engage older youth during weekday evenings. This year, the first Pop-Up will take place at Mander Playground on July 13th, where youth will be invited to swim, play sports, and enjoy a fun summer evening from 5-8pm. Fun Safe Philly Summer will work with the Department of Parks and Recreation on several additional Pop-Up events throughout the break from school. Details will be posted at, www.funsafephillysummer.com in the coming weeks. In addition, Fun Safe Philly Summer partners with the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Playstreet program to bring summer reading to children receiving meals at 16 participating outdoor meal sites.
“The Department of Parks & Recreation is proud and excited to once again partner with Fun Safe Philly Summer,” said Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell. “In addition to the Pop-Up event at Mander Recreation Center and the Playstreet program, our department offers hundreds of free programs and activities to keep kids safe, busy and having fun all summer long at more than 70 public pools, more than 150 recreation centers, and a variety of ice rinks, computer labs, golf courses, basketball courts, miles of park trails and much more. There is so much to do in every neighborhood in Philadelphia, there is no excuse for any kid to be bored this summer.”
Fun Safe Philly Summer assembles a database of free and low-cost camps, classes, and clubs. This year, viewers can access a list of available summer programs and a summer programs map. Interested parents are encouraged to search the map and for available programs in their neighborhoods. The website also contains electronic and printable versions of the “101 Free Things to Do in the Summer” guide, a listing of free events and do-it-yourself activities happening throughout the city all summer long. Parents and students can go to www.funsafephillysummer.com to find activities offered by the Free Library of Philadelphia, the KEYSPOT computer lab network, and the Department of Parks and Recreation. Fun Safe Philly also has information about free outdoor movie screenings, and the STAMP Pass program, which allows Philadelphia residents ages 14-19 into select museums for free.
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https://alpha.phila.gov/press-releases/mayor/fun-safe-philly-summer-kicks-off-summer-2016-season/