Weekly Media Roundup: March 10, 2021

A Space of their Own: North Hampton Flips Vacant Store into Rec Center, Seacoast Online (New Hampshire)

In December, the North Hampton Parks and Recreation Department in New Hampshire officially opened a new 4,000-square-foot recreation center in what was previously an abandoned storefront. Now, the center offers a full roster of afterschool programs, with activities ranging from yoga to pottery to hip hop. “During these challenging times, we have been able to keep the department going and offer programs. The families have been great about it and very happy and receptive about it,” North Hampton Parks and Recreation Director Joe Manzi told Seacoast Online.

Union Local Helping Students Make up for Lost Time, WTOV (Ohio)

In response to the academic and social stresses from the pandemic, the Belmont County, Ohio Union Local School District is expanding its afterschool programs and summer learning camps to include all district students. “There was so much missed over the last 12 months,” Union Local High School Principal Zac Shutler told WTOV. “Even though we did provide remote learning, we knew not all those students had the same access, whether it be educators at home, technology at home. We felt we needed to do what we could to help those students.” The programs will include homework assistance, tutoring and enrichment activities.

YMCA Could Look to Expand Educational Offerings in Wake of COVID-19, The Herald-Dispatch (West Virgnia)

The Phil Cline YMCA in Huntington, West Virginia, operates two robust afterschool programs to support students’ development. At Kids in Motion, students learn how to live a healthy lifestyle through fun exercise activities, and the PROPEL program focuses on academic support, character development and life skills. The nonprofit is currently planning to expand its offerings to include science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programming and more. Program Director DuRon Jackson told the Herald-Dispatch that the pandemic has inspired them to “reach into different areas of well-being, whether that is with a community garden or partnering with different neighborhood associations that are going to help us…. Right now, the sky is the limit.”

Free Lunch Giveaways: How Families Discovered the Boys and Girls Club Amid Pandemic, WGXA News (Georgia)

Last spring and summer, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia had to suspend its out-of-school time programming due to the pandemic, but the organization continued to connect with families and meet students’ needs through free meal distributions. Now, the Club is again providing a safe environment for students to connect with mentors, get help with homework, play games and explore their interests, and it’s operating for longer hours to support students with remote learning, despite having fewer staff. “If you want a great experience, a home away from home, that’s safe and welcoming, come down to the Boys & Girls Club,” 16-year-old Phoenix Blackwell told WGXA News.