Summer plan for Hub youth ‘R.O.C.K.’ solid

Banner Staff

As part of a new initiative to keep Boston youth busy, productive and safe this summer, Mayor Thomas M. Menino recently unveiled Boston Recreational Opportunities for City Kids (“Boston R.O.C.K.S!!!”), a new summer programming campaign that seeks to engage youth between the ages of 8 and 14 in over 500 programs and activities.

The program features an online database and “youth line” phone service that have been set up to allow children and parents the opportunity to select the programs that best suit their interests. The database lets youth search by neighborhood, gender or age for a variety of programs involving sports, education and the arts.

“We are welcoming summer 2007 with Boston R.O.C.K.S!!! Boston is committed to the safety and development of our youth and the wealth of activities and programming being offered this summer underscores this commitment,” Menino said.

Assistance for Boston R.O.C.K.S!!! will be provided by a number of nonprofit organizations and community partners, including Catholic Charities and the Black Ministerial Alliance.

During both weekdays and weekends, Catholic Charities will extend the operating hours of both the Teen Center at St. Peter’s and the Haitian Community Center in an effort to provide secure environments for youths to hang out. Likewise, the City of Boston will extend the hours of its community centers and pool facilities.

On the flipside, the Black Ministerial Alliance, funded by a $200,000 grant from its partner Citizens Bank, recently announced its Summer Enrichment Series, a three-tiered program centering on employment, engagement and education of city youth.

In addition, the city will provide a “rolling recreation” mobile unit that will set up shop in local parks to offer a variety of activities, including dance, arts and crafts, sports and group games.

“From jobs to sports to camps, the young people of Boston have an incredible range of opportunities to continue to grow and learn and have fun all summer long,” Menino said.

Several new programs designed for teens and pre-teens will also take shape this summer. The Arts Scene will offer youth in every neighborhood an opportunity to get in touch with their creative sides.

The Sports Scene consists of a six-week youth sports skills development program for those interested in athletics, while Boston at Night will host events at various community centers every Friday night from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.

For more information, call the City’s youth line at 617-635-KIDS (5437) or visit www.bostonyouthzone.com/summer.