Last Thursday, Mayor Alvin Brown was joined by Steve Pajcic to announce the attorney’s donation would expand the second year of the Rec ‘N Roll program from 10 parks to 18.
That was before two 16-year-old girls were shot that same day on a school bus traveling home on the Westside.
And before a 17-year-old boy was killed the next day at William F. Sheffield Park during a vigil for another slain teen.
After the school bus shootings, Brown challenged his staff to find more money for prevention and intervention activities for teens in at-risk areas.
The $155,000 that was found will expand summer hours at 14 community centers and gyms and add four more parks to Rec ‘N Roll. In all, now 22 parks will be part of the program.
“There can be no more tolerance for this violence,” Brown said. “… It’s up to us to make this happen.”
The commitment last week cost $115,000 — $50,000 from Pajcic and $65,000 from the city. The latest $155,000 expansion comes from interest earnings on city accounts.
Rec ‘N Roll parks will be open June 15-Aug. 7.
Jon Heymann, CEO of the Jacksonville Children’s Commission, lauded the advancements as a way to combat the academic and social “summer slide” youth go through when they’re not in school and unsupervised.
With 90 summer camps sponsored by the commission, much of that free time can be booked in programs that are educational, safe and healthy, he said.
In addition, the Charlie Joseph Senior Center near Panama Park will be open to youth from 6-9 p.m. Monday-Friday. It previously served only seniors and closed at 5 p.m.
Extended hours
The following will have hours extended to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday:
• Balis Community Center
• Clanzel T. Brown Community Center
• Dinsmore Park and Center
• H.T. Jones Community Center
• Julian Barrs Community Center
• Oceanway Community Center
• Windy Hill Community Center
These gyms have been extended to 10 p.m. Monday-Friday:
• Cecil Gym and Fitness Center
• Cuba Hunter Gym and Community Center
• Emmett Reed Gym and Recreation Center
• Legends Community Center and Gym
• Mary Lena Gibbs Recreation Center and Gym
• Robert F. Kennedy Gym and Recreation Center
@writerchapman
(904) 356-2466