Chancellor Michael F. Collins joined City of Worcester officials, local businesses and more than 300 city youths at the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts on Monday, June 25, to kick off the 2018 Worcester Youth Worker Summer Symposium.
As part of its ongoing effort to support academic, vocational and community-service opportunities in Worcester, UMass Medical School is contributing $40,000 through its North Quadrant Support Services initiative in support of Recreation Worcester summer programs.
“We have been proud to support educational and summer employment opportunities for Worcester youth and this partnership provides another valuable means by which UMass Medical School can further our public mission while helping to address socioeconomic barriers to academic success,” Chancellor Collins said.
Recreation Worcester provides free summer care and activities, as well as lunch and dinner for Worcester children from 7 to 13 years old at 10 city parks for six weeks. The program will employ more than 100 youth workers, many of whom gathered Monday at the Hanover Theatre for a job training symposium.
The medical school’s contribution will be used to employ up to 10 workers overseeing programs taking place in Cristoforo Colombo Park, also known as East Park, on Shrewsbury Street. In addition, sponsorship also provides opportunities for student and employee engagement through a number of volunteer opportunities at the park.
“We’re very bullish on our city. We’ve very bullish on the young leaders in our community. Take advantage of the opportunity that is being given to you,” Collins told the youth.
