City to Offer Digital Opportunities, Meal Sites Updated for Summer Distribution
June 17, 2020
Mayor Jorge O. Elorza and partners announced a slate of summer programming opportunities available to Providence families as part of the City’s EAT, PLAY, LEARN summer programming. City department and partners will offer almost all summer 2020 programming virtually. In order to protect the well-being of city youth, families, and staff, a wide variety of programming will be presented through distance learning, virtual programming, and interactive take-home kits that will be distributed at meal and other sites throughout the City. Given the Rhode Island Department of Health’s programming guidelines, the City and partners determined virtual and at-home programming to be the safest and most meaningful model to provide high-quality programming to Providence youth and families.
“Our top priority is maintaining the health and safety of our youth, families, and staff,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “While it was a difficult decision to move programming to a virtual space, I am confident that we will be able to deliver summer opportunities that meet the needs of our community members in unique and innovative ways.”
Summer 2020 offerings have been adjusted to follow COVID-19 response best practices and to maximize program goals under new guidelines. Programming will include the free Summer Meals initiative, virtual recreation offerings, and limited in-person activities through the City’s partner organizations.
“Although this summer our youth programming is going to be different from years past, I am glad that we are creating outlets for our students to keep themselves fed, active, and engaged in learning,” Providence City Council President Sabina Matos said. “COVID-19 has pushed us to think outside the box and to be creative. I’m hopeful that this summer’s youth programming will be valuable to our families and keep all of us healthy.”
EAT
During the COVID-19 response, the City, Providence Public Schools, and partner organizations have distributed more than a million meals since emergency multi-day food distribution began. To continue providing access to nutritious food, this summer, Providence will provide both multi-day and daily food (Monday-Friday) distribution options. An adjusted distribution schedule will begin on Wednesday, July 1st. Providence Public School District and housing sites will be fully activated on Tuesday, July 7. The food distribution schedule for Monday, June 29- Tuesday, July 7 is as follows:
Monday, June 29: No meal distribution service.
Tuesday, June 30: This will be the last day of meal service through the Providence Public School District service. 7 days of meals will be distributed to youth to account for the July 4th holiday observance.
Wednesday, July 1: Daily meal distribution service at parks and recreation centers begins at sites listed below.
Thursday, July 2 Meal distribution service is available at parks and recreation center sites listed below.
Friday, July 3: There will be no meal distribution service at any site due to observance of the July 4 holiday.
Monday, July 6: Meal distribution service is available at parks and recreation center sites listed below.
Tuesday, July 7: Multi-day food distribution service at the Providence Public School District and housing sites listed below begins. Daily meal distribution at parks and recreation center sites continues.
Multi-day food distribution will be available at four Public Housing Authority locations and six Providence Public School District locations on Tuesdays and Fridays only from 11:00AM-2:00PM:
Chad Brown and Admiral Terrace, 236 Chad Brown St.
Codding Court, 144 Dodge St.
Manton Heights, 31 Salmon St.
Wiggins Village, 207 Cranston St.
Alan Shawn Feinstein Elementary, 450 Broad St.
DelSesto Middle School, 152 Springfield St.
Gilbert Stuart Middle School, 188 Princeton Ave.
Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex, 182 Thurbers Ave.
Mount Pleasant High School, 434 Mt. Pleasant Ave.
Providence Career & Technical Academy, 41 Fricker St.
Daily food distribution, Monday-Friday, will be available at 20 outdoor parks and recreation centers at the below times and locations:
Donigian Park, Across the street from 33 Barstow, 10:45am-12:45pm
Dexter Training Ground, 73 Dexter St., 11:00am-1:00pm
Ellery Park, Ellery St. (Across from 84 Ellery St.), 11:00am-1:00pm
Metcalf Field, Across from 200 Hawkins St., 11:15am-1:15pm
Riverside Park, 50 Aleppo St., 11:15am-1:15pm
Billy Taylor Playground, Camp St. (Across from 135 Camp St.), 11:30am-1:30pm
Jennifer Rivera Park, 40 Niagra St., 11:30am-1:30pm
Joslin Park & Rec. Center, 17 Hyat St.,11:30am-1:30pm
Davey Lopes Park, 227 Dudley St., 11:45am-1:45pm
Fox Point Park, Wickenden St. (Across from Boys & Girls Club), 11:45am-1:45pm
General St. Playground, 11 West Drive, 11:45am-1:45pm
Harriet and Sayles Park, 199 Oxford St., 11:45am-1:45pm
Neutaconkanut Rec. Center, 675 Plainfield St., 11:45am-1:45pm
Fargnoli Park, Smith St. (Across from 950 Smith St.), 12:00pm-2:00pm
Selimn-Rogers Rec. Center, 60 Camden Ave, 12:00pm-2:00pm
Wallace Street Park, Corner of Wallace St. and Cumerford St., 12:00pm-2:00pm
George J. West Park, Chalkstone Ave. and Mt. Pleasant Ave., 12:15-2:15pm
McGrane Pool (Bucklin Rec. Center), 404 Dexter St., 12:15-2:15pm
Sackett St. Rec. Center, 110 Sackett St., 12:15pm-2:15pm
Zuccolo Rec. Center, 18 Gesler St., 12:15-2:15pm
PLAY
This summer EAT, PLAY, LEARN will encourage socially distanced physical activity and creative engagement to provide the high- quality programming Providence youth and families deserve and rely on each year. Providence Recreation Centers, Providence Public Schools, and partner organizations will be offering a diverse variety of mostly virtual programming to safely engage youth and families. Select recreation programming will be delivered digitally via social media.
Residents are encouraged to explore Providence parks while following all social distancing guidelines through several free programs. Fitness in the Parks* will return to give workout opportunities such as yoga and guided small group exercise.
With support from the Providence Department of Arts, Culture + Tourism and community partners, PopArt!will host programming facilitated by young adults who are passionate about the process of creating and living with art. This summer, the City will introduce PopArt! Kits, a “grab and go” resource appropriate for creativity in the age of social distancing. Designed for youth 18-years of age and under, the kits include art materials and instructions for creating DIY art projects. These kits, designed in collaboration with local artists and art educators, will be distributed monthly at meal distribution sites. In this way, they will build upon PopArt!’s previous projects in parks and public spaces throughout Providence. The first set of art kits is scheduled to be distributed to each of the recreation centers the week of July 14-21.
LEARN
The City will offer free programming for youth and families at the Providence Public Library and the Providence Community Libraries. Students are encouraged to use the Passport to Summer Learning they received through their school, or download their own, to track their summer reading. Summer Passport to Learning, is a summer reading engagement and tracking program for elementary grades in collaboration with the Providence Public School District. The program includes a weekly give-away of themed books and activity bundles at all library locations. PVD Young Makers will continue this summer with modifications. The PVD Young Makers program empowers students to solve problems by supporting a culture of making through student-centered teaching and learning. Participating youth will have access to Young Makers Tools such as sewing machines and 3-D printers on a drop-in basis through online sign-up only.
For the fourth consecutive year, the City, in partnership with the Providence Public School District, will offer summer learning opportunities to address student summer learning loss. All summer learning programs were designed to meet diverse learners, including multilingual learners and students requiring specialized instruction.
The Providence Public School District has partnered with Inspiring Minds to offer a minimum of four hours of virtual educational programming per day to prepare rising kindergarteners with the emotional and academic skills they need to be ready for school in the fall. Inspiring Minds’ KidsBridge-at-Home Summer Learning Program (July 7-August 14) supports the whole family in getting their rising kindergartner ready for school. Each week families will have access to a variety of online classes and receive a kit filled with engaging and fun activities to complete at home and in the community.
The Providence Public School District will directly support rising 1st through 5th graders through the Believe to Achiever’s Virtual Summer Learning Academy (July 13-Aug. 21). This program blends rigorous academic instruction and engaging enrichment activities. Believe to Achieve offers live, guided instruction from certified teachers to reduce summer learning loss from home. Weekly enrichment activities include hands-on STEAM-based learning, virtual fitness programs, arts & crafts, and virtual field trips, as well as social-emotional learning.
Online programming for rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders will be offered through the Generation Teach Virtual Academy (June 29-Aug. 7). Based on the award-winning Generation Teach STEAM Academy, the Generation Teach Virtual Academy is a dynamic and engaging learning environment where students learn, debate, and grow together in small virtual classes with caring teachers. Students will participate in engaging, interactive math, reading, and law classes that culminate in final projects.
Rising 9th graders will have the opportunity to prepare for rigorous academic work through the RIC-MPHS Partnership Summer Learning Program: Empowering Student Voices (July 20-Aug. 28)
The Rhode Island College and Mount Pleasant High School partnership program will encourage new Mount Pleasant students to strengthen their academics by exploring family and community stories. Students will build relationships with college and high school mentors and teachers and develop a vision for the future with positive and encouraging support.
Providence and College Visions (July 13-Aug. 21) have teamed up to provide high school students job and college readiness skills to rising 9th-12th graders. The College Visions organization, which supports students in applying to and enrolling in college as well as completing their degrees, offers a summer prep program focused on college and career exploration. Students who are thinking about college but don’t know how to apply, what they would study, or how to pay for their education should consider attending. A financial stipend may be available to participating students.
Providence YMCA Youth Services, a city partner, will offer in-person and online options for rising kindergartners to 5th graders. Online programming only will be available for rising 6th -12th graders (July 13-Aug. 21). Providence YMCA Youth Services is offering several options for safe, high-quality summer enrichment programming. Families of elementary level students will be able to choose between a full day, in-person camp, and a virtual program. Middle and high school students will primarily have virtual options, including exciting career-readiness programs for older youth.
Boys & Girls Club of Providence, also a city partner, will offer in-person programming for rising 1st-6th graders (July 6-Aug. 14). This full-day holistic learning experience, designed to help youth increase literacy and math skills, combines academics, enrichment, social-emotional skill development, and community engagement.
In addition to summer learning, Mayor Elorza believes that summer employment and advanced internships are critical to building skills and ensuring job readiness. The City has connected hundreds of young people to summer employment opportunities. Placements will be both in-person and virtual this year summer and will allow for Providence youth to earn wages and gain vital employment training.
More information on summer meals, recreation opportunities, and park programming can be found atwww.eatplaylearnpvd.com. For questions, contact the Mayor’s Center for City Services at City Hall by dialing 3-1-1 or by downloading the PVD311 mobile application now available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
*This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
EAT, PLAY, LEARN PVD: EAT, PLAY, LEARN is a partnership between Mayor Jorge Elorza’s Office, Providence Public School District, the Providence Healthy Communities Office, the Providence Parks Department, the Providence Recreation Department, and the Providence Department of Arts, Culture + Tourism, that increases access to high quality, affordable, and educational summer programs in Providence