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DPR Customer Service: (202) 673-7647
DPR Media Contact: John Stokes, (202) 288-7275, [email protected]
(Washington, DC) The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) today announced a partnership with the Save the Bill Butler and Julius Wyatt #2 Clubhouse Fund, Inc. and the Perry School Community Services Center (aka the Perry Center) to expand program and service offerings in the Northwest One neighborhood. Save the Bill Butler and Julius Wyatt #2 Clubhouse Fund will operate programs for youth at the Butler-Wyatt Boys and Girls Clubhouse #2, located at 128 M St., NW. The Perry Center will operate programs for youth, adults and families at the newly renovated New York Avenue Recreation Center, bordered by 1st and 2nd Streets, New York Avenue and N Streets, NW.
The goal of these partnerships is to provide a safe environment for the youth and their families; to offer skills and opportunities to build confidence, develop strong character, and acquire the skills needed to become productive, civic-minded and community- focused responsible adults. Various community, government and education entities including the Perry Center, the Save the Bill Butler and Julius Wyatt #2 Clubhouse Fund, the Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation (CYITC), the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and Georgetown University will lend support to this effort as DPR seeks to enhance programs across the neighborhood.
“The allegiance between District agencies, community-based organizations and an educational institution speaks to the value that we place on our youth,” said DPR Director Jesús Aguirre. “This will greatly help DPR expand service offerings to the community.”
The Save the Bill Butler and Julius Wyatt #2 Clubhouse Fund will assume operation of the clubhouse in September under a license with the District government. It will begin by offering out-of-school-time programs for youth, ages 8 -18. Outcomes-based programming will include: computer lab, homework zone, math training, chess club, college prep, mentoring program, Girls in Action and music history mentoring. The arts and sports programs include: band, photography, guitar lessons, creative painting, music producing, boxing, football, cheerleading, basketball skills development and lacrosse.
Former MPD officer Devone Tinsely will serve as the branch director, further strengthening ties to the community.
“MPD has and will remain a critical component of the Butler-Wyatt Clubhouse #2,” DC Police Chief Cathy Lanier said. “It is very important for MPD to be involved in our communities, and our work with the community members can only help us achieve the common goal of providing structured, safe programming for our youth.”
The Perry Center is a community-based organization that has been a fixture of the New York Avenue/Northwest One Corridor since 1995. Housed in the historic Perry School at 128 M St., NW, the Perry Center is directly across the street from the New York Avenue Recreation Center, and is home to eight collaborating organizations. The organizations (Albus Cavus, Bright Beginnings, City Center Community Corporation, College Bound, LIFT-DC, Little Friends for Peace, Perry Family Health Center of Providence Hospital, and Perry School Community Services, Inc.) are renowned for their commitment and menu of outstanding programs for the poor and underserved.
In addition to providing community services at its location next door to the Butler-Wyatt Clubhouse #2, the Perry Center will work with DPR and the community to provide programs at the New York Avenue Recreation Center.
“We are thrilled with this opportunity to partner with DPR and CYITC to provide character-building, life-enhancing programming for youth, adults, seniors and families,” said Perry Center's board chairman Quinta Martin. “It is consistent with our mission of a collaborative, comprehensive and integrated approach to social services, economic empowerment and youth development addressing the conditions of poverty, its causes and consequences with programs yielding positive outcomes for youth, adults and families.”
CYITC will provide youth development training and certification to agencies and organizations that provide services to youth through their Center for Excellence in Youth Development.
ABOUT THE DC DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
The mission of the DC Department of Parks and Recreation is to enhance the quality of life and wellness of DC residents and visitors by providing equal access to affordable and quality recreational services, by organizing programs, activities and events, and by building and maintaining safe and beautiful open spaces and recreational amenities. DPR currently operates 78 playgrounds, 68 recreation centers, 900 acres of park land, 40 aquatic features (pools and spray parks), 375 parks, over 200 play courts (basketball & tennis), and over 100 athletic fields.
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