Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Salinas reports thousands served in summer library, recreation and youth programs
Summary
Library, recreation and neighborhood services staff told the commission they ran hundreds of programs in June and July with thousands of participants, partnerships for free summer meals and new community partnerships for outreach and nutrition distribution.
Library and City recreation staff told the Library and Community Services Commission on Aug. 13 that summer programming for June and July delivered a large slate of free events and services across the city, including a citywide kickoff and partnerships to provide free lunches, mobile museum visits and nutrition distribution.
Ernesto, a library programs coordinator, said the library ran more than 125 programs over June and July and staged a May 31 kickoff in Central Park that drew more than 1,200 people. "Our goal really is to encourage the habit of reading," he said, describing summer reading challenges, family game fests, performances, take-home activity kits and a kindergarten readiness program that ran sessions before school.
Ernesto reported roughly 1,800 summer-reading signups and said staff distributed nearly 1,600 books to program participants. He told the commission the library recorded more than 7,600 program attendees across branches and off-site events; staff also partnered with the school district to provide daily summer lunches at the Cesar Chavez site.
Vivian Salinas, community services manager for recreation and parks, described themed summer weeks, a Tiny Tot Summer Explorers program for ages 3'5, a year-round karate class that logged about 82 participants in the summer months, and youth sports leagues and clinics that together served several hundred children. Salinas said the department runs minimal-fee classes for some evening programs but keeps core services free.
Monica Sardina, community services manager for neighborhood services, said the Camp Amore beautification camp expanded from one week to two and that the youth-and-government institute ran three weeks at City Hall with students producing a mock council meeting that focused on homelessness. Sardina said campers receive volunteer hours for school credit.
Commissioners asked about capacity, transportation for older adults and how programs are publicized; staff said notices are posted through registration software, social media, flyers and school-district distribution. Director Kristen Lundquist thanked staff and noted several ongoing capital projects, including the Hebron Family Center construction and upcoming work at Natividad Creek Park.
