Around Town

Watertown Residents Can Apply for Rental Assistance

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Watertown residents struggling to cover their rent due to the COVID-19 outbreak can apply for rental assistance of up to $1,000. The Watertown Community Foundation has teamed with MetroWest Collaborative Development and Wayside Youth & Family Network to provide rental assistance for families who are behind (or arrear) in rent. The assistance will be awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis. The Watertown Community Foundation received funds from the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund, said Executive Director Jan Singer. “Our grants from MA COVID-19 Relief Fund have gone directly to MetroWest Collaborative Development, who is administering the program,” Singer said.

Around Town

Watertown Scout Collecting Winter Clothing for Eagle Project

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A Watertown scout will be collecting winter clothing as his Eagle Scout project, and the items will be delivered to people in Peru. Patricio Pino is a Life Scout with Watertown’s Troop 30, and he decide to organize the winter clothing drive in hopes of reaching the rank of Eagle Scout. Life Scout is the second highest rank in the Boy Scouts, with Eagle being the highest. “My Eagle Project is a collection drive for winter clothing of any condition and size which will be (dropped off) at collection bins between July 17th and 27th,” Pino said. “These collections will then travel with me to Peru or be shipped there to be distributed with the help of Scouting in Peru to people in need.”

Around Town

West Suburban YMCA Providing Free Meals for Children

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The following information was provided by the West Suburban YMCA:

The West Suburban YMCA has partnered with the Metrowest YMCA to participate in Summer Eats, Massachusetts’ Summer Food Service Program. The federally funded nutrition program provides free, healthy meals to all children ages 18 and under when school is not in session. The program is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education with support from the Child Nutrition Outreach Program at Project Bread.    

Meals are available for pick-up at the West Suburban YMCA in Newton, Monday through Friday from 12:00 – 1:00 pm (lunch) and 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (snack) through September 4, 2020. Kids and teens who wish to pick up a lunch or snack should check in at the Y’s Welcome Center.   

This is the Y’s second year participating in the program.  In 2019, the Summer Eats program distributed 2,310 lunches and 4,991 snacks to youth in the community over the course of 8 weeks. 

These free lunches and snacks are available to campers at the Y’s onsite day camp, Camp Pikati. Camp Pikati, as well as the off-site day camp Camp Chickami, are currently running and open for registration.  Both camps are adhering CDC, state, and local guidelines to ensure a safe and happy summer.    

According to the USDA, nearly 10% of Massachusetts households experience food insecurity. This year’s COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to layoffs and reductions in hours for many Americans, has underscored the importance of programs that address food insecurity in our communities.  During the school year, many families stretch their food budget by applying for free or reduced-price school meals for their children. Frequently, these families find it difficult to absorb the additional meal costs when school is not in session. The Summer Meals Program helps to fill the gap left open during the summer months for these families. When children have reliable access to food during the summer, they can return to school ready to learn.

Around Town

Scholarships Available for Summer Recreation Programs from Community Foundation

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation’s (WCF) Community Resilience Fund, created to respond to the impacts of the COVID-19 emergency and similar crises, has announced a $10,000 grant to the Watertown Recreation Department. The fund is for scholarships for families in need who want to participate in the summer 2020 program. 

“WCF is committed to ensuring every Watertown child that wants one has a camp experience this summer,” said WCF co-president Darshna Varia. “As there were no planned camps for kids in Watertown for this summer, the foundation discussed trying to help the town find a way to give some relief to families and get some outdoor activity for children. With the RecreationDepartment’s announcement of the Parks Adventure Program, we found a perfect partnership.”

“It’s been a long tough spring and now there may be a little relief for families during the summer mornings,” added Peter Centola, Director of Watertown Recreation. Any family in need of financial assistance can contact PCentola@watertown-ma.gov.

Online registration here.

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Virtual Library: Movie Discussion Group, Painting & Build Your Own Workshop

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The Watertown Free Public Library. The following information was provided by the Watertown Library:

Missing Hatch Makerspace? Hatch staff and volunteers are offering a wide range of virtual workshops via Zoom, free and open to all skill levels. This week, check out Build Your Workshop with Liz and Gouache Painting with Yi Bin. Register online: watertownlib.org/calendar

Even though WFPL can’t host Movie Mondays right now, we can still enjoy films together!

Around Town

Victory Field Stadium, Spray Areas Opening in Watertown

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The spray pad at Fillippello Park reopened from the COVID-19 shutdown on July 11. The turf area at Victory Field and the spray pads in two Watertown parks, two of the last Recreation facilities to remain closed during the pandemic, will reopen on Saturday, July 11. Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced the openings in his latest COVID-19 Update (read the whole update here). The Victory Field Turf, which is located in the football/baseball area of the complex, will will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The spray pads, located at Arsenal and Filippello parks, will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. There will be a limit of eight people at a time on the spray pad at Arsenal Park, according to Driscoll’s update, and 15 at once at the one in Filippello Park

Watertown’s recreational facilities and activities’ rules and regulations will be guided by the Governor’s Phase III reopening plan, which began on July 6th, Driscoll wrote. This includes staying at least six feet apart, and wearing a face covering over the nose and mouth.

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Signs of Generosity Pop Up Around Watertown; Community Foundation Gives Rental, Food Assistance

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The Watertown Community Foundation has given out these lawn signs to people who have donated to help others in town during COVID-19. The Watertown Community Foundation wanted to thank those who have donated to help out their neighbors during the difficult times cause by the COVID-19 pandemic, and have handed out lawn signs proclaiming “We ♥ Watertown.” WCF Executive Director Jan Singer said that residents have been very generous donating to the Foundation and the Community Resilience Fund, which was created in March to assist people impacted by the Coronavirus. “Hundreds of people in Watertown have contributed and we have given out thousands of dollars,” Singer said. “We continue to give emergency rental assistance and to both food pantries.

Around Town

DCR Reopens Watertown Roadway Along Charles River

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A stretch of Greenough Boulevard in Watertown has reopened after about three months of being closed to motor vehicle traffic. Because the roadway is along the Charles River, it falls under the control of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. A screenshot of a Google Map showing the section of Greenough Boulevard closed by the DCR for recreation use. It stretches from North Beacon Street to Arsenal Street. The section of Greenough that runs between between Arsenal and North Beacon streets was closed on April 11.