Laredo program announces new case manager, sensory rooms, summer camps and inclusive 5K division
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Summary
Health and recreation staff announced a new case manager, two sensory rooms opening in July, summer camps and a new “athletes with disabilities” race division; staff also described participation in Operation Border Health and adaptive-gym plans.
Program and parks staff updated the committee on staff changes, new facilities and a series of inclusive events planned for the summer and fall.
Kathy, the health education promotion manager, said the program has hired a new case manager, Rebecca Serimura, who “will be attending the next ERC meeting,” and that two sensory rooms at Jo’Mera and the Kristen Library are expected to open in July. “She already ordered a bunch of items, and they are amazing, for the kiddos,” Kathy said of the sensory-room equipment.
Kathy reviewed ongoing adaptive summer-camp weeks (art week, STEM week and musical theater in July) and said the program will support an emergency-preparedness exercise, Operation Border Health, scheduled for July 21–25 at Christian Mill this year. Alex, who will serve as logistics section chief for the exercise, described the event as “an exercise in emergency preparedness” that provides community services such as immunizations, vision and hearing checks, dental and medical screenings.
Kathy and other staff also announced a new “athletes with disabilities” competition division for the Sister Cities Festival 5K. The division will include classifications for mobility-impaired, visually impaired and wheelchair competitors and will allow each participant to register with a guide. Kathy said the nonprofit V Abled (Houston) will support athletes’ participation and that Clear Choice has committed to pay entry fees for athletes who want to run the one-mile “Make Your Impossible Possible” segment; she instructed interested participants to sign up through her or by direct email so staff can reserve free slots.
Staff said the adaptive-gym equipment has arrived and that the gym will open with equipment for a range of abilities; they also said longer-term goals include opportunities for athletes to qualify for major races such as the airport 10K, half marathon and the Laredo full marathon.
Other program items: Kathy said the program is scheduling transition-to-adult planning sessions (dates mentioned included April 8 and July 8), plans music-therapy and art sessions in July and August, and is working with partners on an emergency-preparedness outreach plan. Staff said flyers and registration links will be shared by email and that they will accept race registrations on the day of the event if needed.
