On Saturday, Aug. 29, from 11am-1pm, DC residents, brought together by the organization
DC’s Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) has offered full day child care and before and after school care since 1974. The programs are nationally accredited, and have provided care for children of low to moderate income for over thirty years. The centers slated for closure are predominately located in the more needy areas of the city, including Wards 6, 7 and 8.
Fenty closes centers
This summit has been organized in response to the city council’s battle with Mayor Fenty regarding the plans to close the centers. Ward 5 Councilman Harry Thomas, who plans to attend the summit, passed legislation barring Fenty from closing the centers and required the Administration to provide analysis of the impact, particularly on children with special needs. The mayor’s office has not complied with the board’s stipulations and is moving forward with the closures. Many DPR workers were released as of August 21, and others have been told their last day will be September 25.
According to
“I started volunteering for DPR in 1990, and have worked as a child care provider for DPR since 1997,” said Darlene Williams, who was notified last week she would no longer be employed with DPR. “These centers have served several generations of DC families. Without our services many parents will no be able to go to work.”
Despite Williams claim, some, including the Mayor's office, believe that area nonprofits and local for-profits are better equipped to provide enrichment activities and quality care which will allow community-based organizations greater involvement with their target populations which fall into the age range of the children who typically attend the DPR centers. In addition, the turnover of management may save the city money by having to hire less employees.
Some residents don't see this as a solution.