Mayor Elorza Announces Return of EAT, PLAY, LEARN PVD

City of Providence Kicks Off 2021 Summer Meals and Recreation Programming

PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Jorge O. Elorza today joined Superintendent of Parks Wendy Nilsson, Director of Recreation Michael Stephens, Director of the Healthy Communities Office Laurie Moise Sears, and partners to announce the return of in-person summer programming included in the EAT, PLAY, LEARN PVD 2021 campaign. All programming last year was shifted to virtual settings and summer meals were available to youth at grab & go sites only.

“We know that nothing can substitute for the enriching in-person activities our nationally recognized EAT, PLAY, LEARN PVD initiative provides our youth all summer long,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “Making sure that our youth are active academically, physically and socially, means that our students will continue to build upon the growth they’ve made this year and, by ensuring that these activities are free or low-cost, we’re making sure that every child has the opportunity to grow this summer.”

EAT, PLAY, LEARN is a partnership between Mayor Jorge Elorza’s Office, the Providence Healthy Communities Office, the Providence Parks Department, the Providence Recreation Department, the Providence Public School District and the Providence Department of Arts, Culture, and Tourism, that increases access to high quality, affordable, and educational summer programs for youth in Providence.

EAT

The City of Providence Parks and Recreation Departments, in conjunction with the Rhode Island Department of Education, serves free and nutritious meals to all youth ages 18 and under through the Summer Meal Program, which ensures children receive healthy meals when school is out. Last summer, the City distributed over 1 million free summer meals to Providence families and youth at schools and recreation centers.

“Children need good nutrition all year long,” said Laurie Moise Sears, Director of the Providence Healthy Communities Office. “The summer meals program is critical to ensuring that Providence youth have the food they need to stay active and healthy while school is out.”

This year, Providence will serve lunches at 33 neighborhood schools, parks, recreation centers, pools and waterparks. Meal service will run July 6 through August 18, Monday through Friday. During inclement weather and throughout the summer, times and locations may vary or change, so parents and families should call 3-1-1 to find a summer meal site in their neighborhood. Meals can be eaten on-site or taken away.

The City of Providence’s Summer Meals will be served at the following locations and times:

PLAY

Last month, Mayor Elorza announced the reopening of all Providence Recreation Centers beginning Monday, April 12, 2021. As part of the EAT, PLAY, LEARN PVD series, recreation centers will once again offer all-day summer recreation opportunities starting at just $5/week. The City is offering numerous affordable camp opportunities for Providence youth including sports, day, and specialty education camps. Providence Recreation will provide seven (7) weekly sports camps ranging from basketball to soccer and three (3) specialty camps with a focus on creative arts, music and dance, and biking at all 11 recreation centers. For a full list of summer recreation activities and to register, visit www.EatPlayLearnPVD.com.

“Play is an essential component for healthy and happy children. We are excited to provide so many opportunities for children and families to explore our vast network of parks and recreation facilities and play all summer long,” added Michael Stephens, Director of Recreation.

In addition to recreational programming, Providence residents are encouraged to explore Providence Parks through PlayCorps, Fitness in the Parks and the City’s Park Finder.

LEARN

Mayor Elorza also announced today expanded summer learning opportunities for Providence students. The City of Providence once again partnered with the Providence Public School Department (PPSD), College Visions Summer Prep Program, Inspiring Minds – Kidsbridge Summer Learning Program, Boys and Girls Club Providence, The Center for Dynamic Learning, YMCA of Greater Providence, Sylvan Learning, Rhode Island College and Generation Teach to increase access to year round learning opportunities.

PPSD’s Summer Learning Program will run Monday through Thursday from 8:30am to 12:30pm from July 6 to August 13. The program is free of cost to families, and breakfast and lunch will be served daily. Transportation will be provided to eligible students. Students transitioning to the middle and high schools next year will have the opportunity to participate in a unique transition program designed to get them familiar with their new school. Seniors looking to make up credits will have a special opportunity to do so through a unique three-week program, which will be offered twice. Sign up at www.providenceschools.org/summer.

“I’m proud to join Providence leaders to underscore the many summer programs families in the capital city can take advantage of this year,” said Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. ”The pandemic upended learning for many of our students and it is even more important that we offer opportunities for them to be engaged, be active, and continue to learn during the break to make up ground. Through the EAT, PLAY, LEARN PVD initiative and the hundreds of courses RIDE has made available on EnrollRI.org, we’ll be able to accelerate learning for more students.”

Expanded access to summer learning opportunities was a priority identified by the Rhode Island Department of Education’s Learning, Equity, & Accelerated Pathways (LEAP) Task Force, which released its report and recommendations for accelerating learning in Rhode Island post-pandemic in late April. Over 350 new courses are now available for viewing and registration on EnrollRI.org, including free classes, work-based learning programs, college credit courses, and other learning opportunities. The deadline for pre-registration is Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 5:00pm.

In collaboration with Providence Community Libraries, all children who attend Providence Recreation Camps will participate in literacy programming to help enhance reading skills. Students are encouraged to use the Passport to Summer Learning they received in school, or download their own, to track their summer reading.

In addition to summer learning, Mayor Elorza believes that summer employment is critical to building life-long skills and ensuring job readiness. This year, the City is offering over 1,300 jobs to Providence youth starting at $15/hour. One Providence for youth employment opportunities open on Monday, May 31, 2021 and the deadline to apply is Friday, July 2, 2021. Youth can find out more and apply online at www.PVDSummerJobs.com.

Each year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture partners with local organizations like the City of Providence to provide free meals to children when school is out for the summer. For more information about the national Summer Food Service Program, visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/summer.

More information on summer meals, recreation opportunities and park programming can be found at www.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.