Media Contact Only:  MosesAlexander Greene, (202) 673-7684

Today, the District’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced that the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington and the United Soccer Club lead its list of new programmatic partners. 

“Attracting these two outstanding organizations is a win-win for our agency and the youth of the District,” said Clark E. Ray, director of DPR. “The services they provide are great enhancements to our existing programming and we look forward to establishing long-standing relationship with both.” Both partnerships began Tuesday, April 1, 2008.

Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington
From April 1 thru May 1, 2008, the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington will provide free vision screening for children enrolled at all DPR Day Care and Cooperative Play Centers. The results of the vision tests will be given to the families of all individuals screened. DPR will also be provided with a list of all children who did not pass the screening as well as the names of those who are referred to a doctor for a more complete eye examination.

United Soccer Club (endorsed by DC United)
Starting April 1, DPR will provide United Soccer Clubs at Barry Farm Recreation Center, 1230 Sumner Road SE; Kenilworth-Parkside Recreation Center, 4300 Anacostia Avenue NE; and Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, 1100 Michigan Avenue NE.

United Soccer Clubs will provide 8-week sessions of after-school soccer clinics two days per week in both the spring and fall at these facilities.Additionally, this partnership allows for a site director and supporting coaching staff members to hold two training sessions per week based on the following schedule: Mondays and Wednesdays 3:30 - 5 pm or Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30 - 5 pm .

Spring programming for the United Soccer Club partnership is scheduled to begin the week of March 30, and continue thru the week of May 26; fall programming will be from the week of September 1 thru the week of October 27. Both programs include one week to make-up for any weather delays in their schedules. The partnership allows for access to the resources of DC United including player and mascot appearances, giveaways and tickets to DC United games. The United Soccer Club looks to expand this partnership to Fort Stanton Recreation Center in Southeast and Harrison Recreation Center in Northwest in the fall.

For More Information: Information about these and other DPR partnerships or to how to become a DPR Partner can be obtained by contacting the DPR Office of Partnerships and Development at (202) 671-1462 or by email at DPRpartnerships@dc.gov.