Home Ec is back!!!

Recreation is thrilled  to announce the receipt of a generous grant of $13,500.00 from the United Way of North Central Massachusetts (UNNCM) DESE After School and Out of School grant program!

The goal of the grant is to” help After School and Out of School Time (ASOST) programs rebound and strengthen quality of services from impacts of COVID-19 and thereby improve learning, social-emotional outcomes, and access to enrichment opportunities for children and youth.”

Our youth and young adults were   adversely affected   and lost so much over the last few years. We’ve seen it, felt it, lamented it. There has never been a better time to focus on life skills, self-esteem and the dynamics of functioning successfully, and with confidence, in this ever-changing world for our young people. When the opportunity presented itself to apply for the UWNCM ASOST Grant, Townsend Recreation and the  Recreation Commission jumped at the chance to apply. We had an idea for a revitalized and revamped oldie but goodie, a program that can help prepare this generation with skills, problem solving, and habit-forming activities that will establish a base line for entering an independent adult world.

Thanks to this generous grant, providing 85% of funding, Rec will be bringing "Almost Adulting- Home Ec for Today's Generation"  to the young adults of Townsend, Ashby, Shirley, Fitchburg, Lunenburg and Leominster!

There will be 5 courses, each will be individually offered and open to 7th -10th graders (max 30 per course).  Courses will be offered in the following subject areas on Sundays:

Finance: October 2, 9, 16, 23

Cooking & Nutrition: November 6, 13, 20, December 4

Home Management: January 8, 15, 22, 29

Health & Wellness: February 12, 26, March 5, 12

Working with your Hands: April 2, 9, 23, 30

-Class Times: 130-3p or 330-5p  * Instructors preference
-Dates subject to change
-Open to 7-10th graders
-Primary Location: Townsend Town Hall, 272 Main St. Townsend MA 01469
-Permission for potential field trips to grocery store and/or other will be needed
-To meet the needs of the communities served, courses will be offered for free with an option to donate $25 per course to Townsend Recreation (onsite), to defray organization costs

For additional information and to register  https://www.townsendma.gov/recreation-commission/pages/fall-winter-202223