Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/more/aroundtown/page/351/)
After a rise in cases for the prior three weeks, Watertown’s COVID-19 cases dropped in the most recent Mass. Department of Public Health report, but the Town had two more deaths. Vaccinations are open to everyone age 16 and older. Watertown had 78 cases over the prior 14 days, according to the Mass. DPH report of April 16.
The following information was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peach Justice and the Environment:
The Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment will hold its April Monthly Meeting on Wednesday April 21 at 7:00 pm, online. The April monthly meeting of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment will feature presentations by the Watertown Joint Police Reform Group. The group comprises an alliance of three local teams: Uplift Watertown, the Kingian Response Team, and Watertown Citizens for Black Lives (a working group of WCPJE). The Police Reform group will present updates on multiple projects that seek to bring more accountability, transparency, communication and trust between the Watertown Police Department and our community. Following the presentations there will be ample time for questions and general discussion.
Watertown Senior Center
The following information was provided by the Watertown Senior Center:
Programs for Week of April 19, 2021
Join us via Zoom for the following programs. Call for access info: (617) 972-6490. New participants always welcome in every program! We hope you’ll join us! All Watertown Senior Center Programs via Zoom. Call (617) 972-6490 for details.
A sign being made by a member of Sunrise Watertown, a youth-led environmental organization. A group made up of youth from Watertown will march on Earth Day to push for legislation at the state and local level to benefit the environment. Organizers sent out the following information:
This upcoming Earth Day, Sunrise Watertown plans to take action and lead a march from the middle school, past town hall, and to the square. Their goal is to educate the town on the climate crisis while simultaneously putting pressure on the town council to declare a climate emergency and enact more decisive legislation to combat the crisis. Sunrise Watertown plans to stage a few speeches and read an op-ed which was authored by its own members and will be about the town councils lack of action concerning the climate emergency.
The following information was provided by Lifeworks:
Lifeworks, a nonprofit human services provider that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, announced that it is expanding its community-based autism services to include adult autism support in 40 communities in the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Boston Metro Region, in addition to its existing youth and family autism services in Newton and parts of Norfolk county. Lifeworks will establish an Adult Autism Support Center within its West Roxbury office that will help individuals and families navigate available autism-related services, provide workshops and caregiver training, and participate in enriching social and recreational activities. “It’s a privilege to expand our autism support services in the DDS Metro Boston Region,” said Daniel Sullivan, Vice President of Quality and Community Services at Lifeworks. “We look forward to providing our comprehensive supports and services as we establish new community connections and partnerships.”
As part of this effort, Lifeworks will appoint an Assistant Director of Adult Services, add two new adult autism support specialists, and form new collaborations with advocacy organizations, employers, law enforcement and other community partners. Lifeworks has a long history of providing autism supports and its Family Autism Center based at its headquarters in Westwood has grown to serve nearly 1,000 individuals in the Newton/South Norfolk area. Under its new DDS contract, Lifeworks will now provide Adult Autism Support Center services in the following DDS areas:
• Greater Boston – Boston, Brookline, Chelsea, Revere, Winthrop
• Charles River West – Belmont, Cambridge, Somerville, Waltham, Watertown
• Middlesex West – Ashland, Dover, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Natick, Northborough, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Westborough
• Newton/South Norfolk – Canton, Dedham, Foxborough, Medfield, Millis, Needham, Newton, Norfolk, Norwood, Plainville, Sharon, Walpole, Wellesley, Weston, Westwood, Wrentham
Lifeworks will now support the entire age range of individuals with autism: the family program supports children and youths and the adult program supports those ages 18 and older.
Watertown’s COVID-19 cases continued to increase for the third straight week. according to the Mass. Department of Public Health report, and nearly 1-in-5 Watertown residents have at least started the vaccination process. The Town had 93 cases over the previous 14 days, according to the state’s report from April 8, a dozen more than the previous week. The positive test rate also rose for the third straight week, from 1.48 percent on April 1 to 1.72 percent on April 8.
The following information was provided by the West Suburban YMCA:
There’s lots going on at the Y for kids and families right now! Let me know if you need any more info. Family Fun at the West Suburban YMCA
“Back to School Sale” – Family Membership Promotion
Sign up for a Family Membership in April and you’ll receive 20% off your monthly membership fees for April, May, and June! Members enjoy priority registration and reduced rates for programs, camp, personal training, and more. For more information on these promotions, contact the Welcome Center at 617-244-6050 ext. 0 or visit www.wsymca.org/membership-promotion
Late Spring Program Session: April 26-June 20. Register Now! It’s time for a fresh start. Reset your routines and regain your wellness by signing up for spring programs at the Y! The Y’s 8-week Late Spring Program Session will run from April 26-June 20. Stay active as a family by signing up for swimming, sports, music, and fitness programs! Visit the Y’s website for more details and to register: www.wsymca.org/find-a-program
Afterschool Care at the Y
The Y’s Out of School Time (OST) program offers afterschool care that follows the Newton Public Schools schedule, including half days, and transportation to the Y is available from most Newton schools. A free healthy snack is also provided and lunch is also provided on half days. OST includes physical activities, outdoor time, games, service learning, and homework support.
The Watertown Provincial Guard re-enactors joined the 2019 Memorial Day Parade. For the second year in a row, Watertown’s Memorial Day Parade has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced the cancellation in his weekly Coronavirus update. Veterans Services Officer Patrick George said the move was made based on the State’s COVID-19 restrictions on the size of gatherings. “It wasn’t an easy decision — frankly, when this all started, I thought we’d be back open by LAST Memorial Day — but it’s the safest decision we could make with the current public health data available,” George said.