CAMBRIDGE – Parents, grandparents, and volunteers filled the Empowerment Center in Cambridge on Monday evening to celebrate the close of this year's Summer Youth Program conducted by the Pine Street Committee.
For just over five weeks, 49 children ranging in age from 3 to 11 attended the program designed to hone interpersonal and educational skills during the summer months.
“I think the program is excellent. It keeps young kids active in their minds and not idle during their time off from school. They take time out to teach them the important things of life,” said Terry Demby, whose 5 year-old son Michael had been part of the program.
“It has taught them a lot of things, like how to respect one another, along with helping them with their school work. They teach them do not talk when other people are talking, and all the good values of life,” she said, adding that her son will attend every year until he is too old to come.
Elizabeth Daniels said this was the third year for her 5 year-old daughter, JaNada Bishop. “She likes it very much. She has always been a very smart and bright child, and being here has made her smarter and brighter. It's a very good program.”
She added that her mother, Marie Daniels, volunteered for the program.
The children received a special treat that evening as Mark Cumberpatch and Sharon Keutmann of the Dorchester Humane Society introduced two dogs to those in attendance, Stanley and Tucker. Stanley had been discovered on Pine Street a few months ago infested with ticks and beset with other problems which brought him near death. Stanley recovered after intensive veterinarian care which included a blood transfusion from Tucker,
Also included in the closing session was a musical selection by Ms. Stephanie's Babies who ranged in age from 3 to 6, a welcome by volunteer Delores Jones, awards for children and adults, and comments by program director Octavene Saunders. The Reverend George Ames led the invocation and the prayer of grace over the buffet dinner. He and County Councilman Rick Price (District 4) also offered comments about the summer youth program.
Additional pictures released to the press:
Additional pictures for client and general public - not captioned.
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