DPR Customer Service:  (202) 673-7647 
DPR Media Contacts:
John Stokes, (202) 288-7275, [email protected]
Rachel Newman (202) 340-2910, [email protected]

Washington, DC - Today, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced "Who Can I Run To?," a citywide, week long variety of workshops and events centered on Teen Suicide Prevention & Mental Health Week.  The purpose of this program is to educate the District's youth about the mental health issues that may affect them on a daily basis.  Most of our youth tend to be inward with their problems, feel as if they are alone or no one else can relate to what they are going through.  This week-long event is geared specifically toward teens and looks to open the dialogue on a peer-to-peer level.

"Who Can I Run To?" will feature four workshops, each day, across the District from Monday, April 7 through Thursday, April 10.  At each workshop, participants will be asked to sign an anti-bullying and anti-suicide contract.  Participants who attend the workshops will have special access and tickets to the "Who Can I Run To?" Celebrity Basketball game on Friday, April 11 at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center.  The basketball game will be a citywide tournament which will feature the DPR All-Stars vs. the Celebrity All-Stars.  The game is open to everyone and tickets are not required.

The schedule for the week is as follows:

• Monday - April 7th
  •  Guest Speakers: The Trevor Project & Tony Lewis from Sons of Life
    Location: Kennedy Rec Ctr (1401 - 7th St., NW)
    Time: 6 pm to 8 pm

• Tuesday - April 8th
  • Guest speakers: King Shug & Ms. Leilanie Rayala from Children's Hospital Psychiatric Unit
    Location: Raymond Rec Ctr (3725 10th St., NW)
    Time: 6 pm to 8 pm

• Wednesday - April 9th
  • Guest speakers: Lonnie Hutchinson from PIW; Carl Thomas, Marc Williams and Daniel Bradley from Dreams Work
    Location: North Michigan Park Rec Ctr (1333 Emerson St., NE)
    Time: 6 pm to 8 pm

• Thursday - April 10th
  •  Guest Speakers: Ms. Shaun Jai & Fatz Da Big Fella
    Location: Deanwood Rec Ctr (1350 49th St., NE)
    Time: 6 pm to 8 pm

• Friday - April 11th
  • Celebrity All-Star Basketball Tournament
    Culinary art demo's by Chef J.R. of Kitchen Cray & halftime performance by Tray Chaney
    Location: Turkey Thicket Rec Ctr (1100 Michigan Ave., NE)
    Doors open at 6 pm

 

Registration is not required for this event.  Teens are encouraged to follow DPR on Instagram (@DCDPR) or Twitter (@DCDPR) and use the hash tag #WhoCanIRunTo. 

For additional information, contact us on Instagram, Twitter or call Jason Lewis at (202) 727-1293.

For information on DPR events, programs & activities, be sure to follow DPR on
Facebook, Twitter, Join our Mailing List, Register for a Program 
or visit the DPR Website.