Media Only Contact: John A. Stokes, (202) 673-2195 (DPR)

This afternoon, the Office of Partnerships and Development of the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced that recently, the American Lung Association of DC (ALADC) made a $10,000 financial contribution to the agency.  Through the Tobacco Free Families Campaign, the American Lung Association of DC will provide tobacco cessation programming for youth participants at DPR Teen Nights throughout the rest of the summer.

The partnership will be on-site administering the tobacco cessation programming at the following DPR Teen Nights:

• July 25, August 8: Bald Eagle Recreation Center, 100 Joliet St., SW
• August 1, 15: Fort Davis Community Center, 1400 41st St., SE
• August 22: Harry Thomas, Sr. Recreation Center, 1743 Lincoln Rd., NE

According to DPR Director Clark E. Ray, “Partnerships like this one are subtle reminders to our youth that we are invested both in their current choices as well as their future ones. I welcome our new partner’s services and am pleased to know that we are reaching our goal of providing more wholistic programming to the District’s teenagers.”

To date, over 7,000 teens have attended DPR Teen Nights this year throughout the District’s eight wards. DPR Teen Night is a program of the Office of Teen Programs for District teens, ages 13 to 19 years old which involve any number of different recreational, leisure, social and cultural activities, in a safe and healthy environment. Held at various recreation centers throughout the year on Friday nights from 7 pm – midnight, the weekly events are designed for young people by young people, with some assistance from DPR staff. 

“We are pleased to offer our support to the DC Department of Recreation to provide education about living a tobacco free life for District youth,” said Rolando Andrewn, chief executive officer of the ALADC. “Partnerships like this one afford us the opportunity to have the greatest impact on our children, helping them stay tobacco-free and adopt a healthier way of living, which can be passed on to their families.”  Mr. Andrewn also stated that because children are the nation’s future and it was critical to educate them as early as possible in making healthy choices.

For more information on this partnership or on how to become a partner with the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, contact the DPR Office of Partnerships and Development at (202) 671-1462 or by email at DPRpartnerships@dc.gov.