For Immediate Release: 6/11/2012 1:23 pm
Worcester, MA (June 11, 2012) - Worcester City Manager Michael V. O'Brien and Friendly House announced today that the 2012 Wheels to Water Summer Swimming and Recreation Program is currently accepting registrations.
The Wheels to Water Program officially kicks-off on Thursday, July 5th. Interested City youth between the ages of 7 and 17 can register for the program at any one of twelve participating neighborhood-based organizations (complete list below) or can download an application through the City's website. Brochures and applications are available in Spanish.
Now in its fourth year, the free summer program offers transportation Monday through Friday to the following swimming facilities: Boys & Girls Club, YWCA of Central Massachusetts, YMCA—Central Branch, Girls Inc. and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Friendly House will coordinate transportation to these facilities. Swimming lessons will be offered at the Boys and Girls Club, YWCA of Central Massachusetts, YMCA—Central Branch and the City beaches. Participants must register for swimming lessons. Crompton Park Pool and Greenwood Spray Park will open seven days a week beginning July 1, in addition to the City's beaches, State beaches and State pools.
Recreation programs facilitated by the Boys & Girls Club at the following locations: Boys & Girls Club, Beaver Brook Park, and Great Brook Valley. Programming will include arts and crafts, sports clinics, summer reading, lunch and more. The Worcester Public Schools will also partner with the Wheels to Water Program. Youth who attend summer school at Canterbury Street Community School, Norrback Street Elementary School, Midland Street School and Vernon Hill Elementary School will have access to transportation to swimming facilities through the Wheels to Water Program.
Last year, approximately 1,300 young people between the ages of 7 and 17 registered for the Wheels to Water Program. Over the six week period, there were more than 7,300 visits to participating pools and City beaches.
For more information on swimming programs, call Friendly House at (508) 755-4362 or for more information on recreation programs, call Joanne Memnon, Boys & Girls Club at (508) 754-2686.
"All of the pieces are in place to ensure that our City's youth have access to safe, meaningful educational and recreational activities this summer," said City Manager O'Brien. "I wish to thank all who have contributed to the funding and planning of the 2012 program."
This program is generously supported by UMass Memorial Health Care, The George I. Alden Trust, The Fletcher Foundation, The George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation, The Stoddard Charitable Trust, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, The College of the Holy Cross and the City of Worcester.
"UMass Memorial Health Care is once again very proud, as we have been since the inception of this program in 2009, to be a major sponsor of the Wheels to Water program," said John O'Brien, President and CEO of UMass Memorial Health Care. "It is a true testament to the need for this summer program when our community committee members vote unanimously to contribute to this wonderful program each summer. By committing to keep Worcester's young people safe and happy through focused activities such as this program, we are committing to the overall health of our community."
REGISTRATION SITES
East Side CDC
409 Shrewsbury Street — (508) 799-6942
Centros Las Americas
11 Sycamore Street — (508) 798-1900
Friendly House
36 Wall Street — (508) 755-4362
Henry Lee Willis Center
Great Brook Valley, 176 Tacoma Street - (508) 852-8905
Plumley Village
16 Laurel Street - (508) 770-0508
Main South CDC
875 Main Street — (508) 752-6181
Saint Bernard's Church
236 Lincoln Street — (508) 791-3104
Saint Peter's Church
929 Main Street — (508) 752-4674
Southeast Asian Coalition
484 Main Street — (508) 791-4373
South Worcester Neighborhood Center
47 Camp Street — (508) 757-8344
Worcester Common Ground
5 Piedmont Street — (508) 754-0908
Quinsigamond Village Community Center
16 Greenwood Street - (508) 755-7481
