Mayor Elorza, Community Partners and City Officials Announce 2022 Eat, Play, Learn PVD Summer Opportunities

City will offer youth enriching educational, recreational and employment programs throughout the summer

PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, Providence Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez, Executive Director of the Nonviolence Institute Cedric Huntley, Director of the Providence Healthy Communities Office Laurie Moise Sears, Superintendent of the Providence Parks Department Wendy Nilsson, Deputy Director of the Providence Recreation Department Steve Piscopiello and Deputy Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity Kadeem Leslie today announced upcoming Eat, Play, Learn PVD summer opportunities for Providence youth. Eat, Play, Learn PVD is a nationally-recognized initiative that provides Providence kids and families with access to healthy food, outdoor play, skill-building, and creative engagement all summer long.

“We’re proud to offer these educational and enriching experiences over the summer here in Providence, because students’ activities over the summer can make a big impact in the classroom when they return to school,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “I encourage families to visit EatPlayLearnPVD.com<https://EatPlayLearnPVD.com> to learn more about this year’s summer opportunities, and I want to thank our community partners for helping us offer these robust programs to our city’s youth.”

Eat

Mayor Elorza is committed to ensuring that all children have access to healthy meals throughout the year. The City’s summer meals program provides Providence youth 18 and under with access to healthy and fresh food options all summer long. This year, free summer meals will begin on July 5. A list of meal sites and more information about the program can be found at [http://www.EatPlayLearnPVD.com<http://www.eatplaylearnpvd.com>]www.EatPlayLearnPVD.com<http://www.eatplaylearnpvd.com>.

Play

Mayor Elorza has focused on encouraging physical activity and creative engagement in Providence parks and public spaces. In Providence, summer is a time for youth to be outdoors, enjoying greenspaces and expanded recreation programs and play opportunities. Play opportunities for Providence youth are available through Recreation Department programming, including day camps, specialty camps, and sports camps, as well as the no-cost PlayCorps program through the Providence Parks Department.

To register for recreation center summer camps, individuals can register online at EatPlayLearnPVD.com<https://EatPlayLearnPVD.com>, or in-person at the City’s 11 recreation centers or main office<https://www.providenceri.gov/recreation/> between 10 A.M. and 2 P.M. on April 30. Recreation camps are only $5 per child, per week of programming. Credit cards will be accepted if registering online and money orders will be accepted if registering in-person. Payments should be made to: “Providence Recreation Support Fund.”

Learn

Summer learning loss can occur when children and youth are not provided access to engaging summer programing and learning opportunities. To combat these trends, the City and Providence Public Schools partner together to provide free summer learning opportunities at Providence schools and locations across the city. For more information on summer learning opportunities, visit EatPlayLearnPVD.com<https://EatPlayLearnPVD.com>.

In addition, job opportunities for youth to support Eat, Play, Learn PVD programming are available now through the Providence Parks and Providence Recreation departments. All summer employment candidates must be at least 14 years old as of July 5, 2022. Work experiences will also be made available through the One Providence for Youth summer employment program. Youth and young adults (ages 14-24) can earn money, work readiness training and career experiences while engaging in summer work-based learning and project-based learning across Providence with partners. Applications will open May 9. To apply online or learn more, visit [http://www.pvdsummerjobs.com<https://jobs.providenceri.gov/summer/>]www.pvdsummerjobs.com<https://jobs.providenceri.gov/summer/>.

As part of the Providence’s anti-violence investment, the Nonviolence Institute is currently offering monthly S.E.E.D. (Skills Enrichment Education Development) trainings for Providence youth ages 15-24 years old. This nonviolence-focused job training program is designed for in-risk youth and provides a stipend for participants who live in Providence. Participants learn crucial skills in a safe and inclusive space that focuses on the interconnectedness of the principles of nonviolence, conflict resolution and mental health and wellness. The program aims to help youth participants break down barriers and stereotypes that prevent them from seeking out necessary mental health and wellness supports, and individuals will be provided with case management and connection to supports throughout and after completion of the program. To refer a young person for this training, visit the Nonviolence Institute’s website<https://www.nonviolenceinstitute.org/nonviolence-training>.

Registration for 2022 Eat, Play, Learn PVD programs begins on April 30, 2022 at 10 A.M. Families may register for summer opportunities online anytime at EatPlayLearnPVD.com<https://eatplaylearnpvd.com/>. Computer access is available at the City’s 11 recreation centers. After April 30, families can register for Recreation programming in-person at their local recreation center or the main office during operating hours<https://www.providenceri.gov/recreation/>. Program registrations will remain open until filled. For full details on this summer’s Eat, Play, Learn PVD offerings, visit EatPlayLearnPVD.com<https://eatplaylearnpvd.com/>.