June 2018 Play Update
Brookside Community Play wrapped up its second year of afterschool programming for elementary-aged children with our annual Brookside 500 event. While After School Play is finished for the year, we’re excited to kick off our third year of Summer Play! Summer Play is held on Tuesday nights in June and July from 5-8PM at Brookside Park. This event is free and open to all of the community. Each week we set up games, giveaways, and music in an effort to engage our neighbors in play.
New this year, we are launching three different one-week day camps where children in grades K-6thcan learn about sports, STEM-related fields, and the arts. These Play Camps are offered at no-cost and spots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Through a wonderful partnership with Mission Indy, we’ll be able to serve 50 children each week.
On the horizon is a new program that will launch this Fall for middle and high school students. The Education and Employment Academy will serve 30 at-risk middle and high school students by instilling hope through education and employability. The program will help students discover passion areas, improve socio-emotional development, build character and leadership skills, provide adult mentor relationships, boost academic performance, and equip students with employment opportunities.
Biggest Needs:
- We need more volunteers to serve at our Summer Play events. This is a great service opportunity for parents and children to serve together. As a Summer Play volunteer, you’ll help set up and run a game station for 100+ kids. You’ll love getting to know our kids and by the end of the night, you won’t want to leave! You can register as a Summer Play volunteer here.
- Brookside Community Play is a finalist for an Impact 100 Grant. On June 12th, two non-profits will be chosen to each receive a $100,000 grant. If Brookside is chosen, it will use the funding to launch the Education and Employment Academy. Please pray for our staff and ask God to open the door to continued funding.