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Volume 22, Issue 7
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CELEBRATING 22 YE ARS OF PUBLISHING POSITIVE COMMUNITY NEWS
TAMPA HOUSING AUTHORITY
HOSTS SUCCESSFUL STRONG FAMILIES EVENT By Ashley Abene
PRSTD STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID MANASOTA, FL PERMIT #1456
On June 14, the for families. Some U.S. Department of HUD and THA’s of Housing and Urpartners that parban Development ticipated were (HUD), which proTampa Fire Rescue, vides funding for the Tampa Police the Tampa Housing Department, the Authority (THA), Tampa Metropolhosted its annual itan Area YMCA, Strong Families the Early Learning event from 10 a.m.Coalition of Hills3 p.m. This event The Tampa Police Department was one of Tampa borough County, was for families in Housing Authority’s partners that offered services the Hillsborough at the Strong Families event assisted housing County Public Lioffering services brary Cooperative, and fun for elementary the Lightning and the to high school aged chilBuccaneers. dren. The Tampa HousEntertainment at ing Authority works this event consisted with HUD to provide of balloon animals, housing options in the basketball, a book area for mixed-income giveaway, a caricature dwellings and provides artist, community vencommunity service prodors, Connect Four, grams. cornhole, a DJ, dunk At the annual Strong Families event, The Tampa Housing tanks, face painting, Authority’s website children participated in all kinds of fun, family portraits, hair including face painting. states that the prostyling, a petting zoo, a gram’s “mission is to cultivate affordable potato sack race, stilt walking and a trackhousing while empowering people and less train. The health services that were communities. Beyond managing federal offered consisted of health screenings for Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher blood pressure, glucose readings and dental programs, the Authority works with local and vision consultations. governments and partners with public and According to HUD’s website, the annual private organizations to carry out entrepre- Strong Families event focuses on helping neurial urban development projects that ex- “parents bond with their children while repand accessible housing options.” ceiving impactful resources in a fun, festive The event on June 14 welcomed over atmosphere.” It adds that children “reared 200 children and families at the Oaks at in safe and nurturing families and neighborRiverview Community Center. HUD’s Strong hoods, free from maltreatment and other Families event aims to help children with- adverse childhood experiences, are more in the THA program to grow stronger and likely to have better outcomes as adults.” give opportunities for fun and education To find out more information about the with the support of the community. Many Tampa Housing Authority and its program of the organization’s partners were there as offerings, go to its website at www.thafl. well, providing services and entertainment com.
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BASQUILL SIBLINGS AND CAMP COUNSELORS RECOMMEND YMCA CAMP CRISTINA
By Sara Kitchin
YMCA Camp “I love workCristina in Riving here,” said erview is a second-year summer desreturning countination for selor Dillon. “I children of Hillmade lots of sborough Coungood connecty. The camp tions last year activities also with counselors attract camp and campers, counselors that so I think that’s dedicate their The Basquill siblings (left to right), Hudson, Lila, Cody what has helped summer to pro- and Dillon, encourage all to partake in YMCA Camp me to come viding inclusive back.” Cristina’s camp counselor program. experiences for The siblings children and encourage creating lifelong active, namemories. ture-loving inAll four of dividuals who the Basquill sibare in search lings, Cody, Dilof a rewarding lon, Hudson and summer job to Lila, spend their become a counsummer outselor at YMCA doors at YMCA Camp Cristina. Camp Cristina They recombecause of the mend this funThis is Cody Basquill’s third summer as a senior lifeguard fulfilling experi- and lifeguard instructor at YMCA Camp Cristina. What filled workplace ences working brings him back are the amazing campers and the even to friends and with the chilothers in Hillsmore amazing staff.” dren and other counselors brings. The borough County. siblings continue to return to the camp The summer camp is currently in sesyearly due to the connections they made sion with a variety of different camp that continue to draw them back. styles for children ages 6-15 to learn “It’s a good work environment,” said different skills in a safe environment. In Hudson, a camp counselor at YMCA addition, the YMCA regularly offers afCamp Cristina. “All of the kids are great, ter-school care and youth sports during and so are all the counselors. You get a the school year. unique perspective with your co-workPrices to sign children up for the camp ers that make interesting friendships and information on becoming a camp and connections with them. You just do counselor at YMCA Camp Cristina are not get the same from school or other available at www.tampaymca.org/locathings.” tions/ymca-camp-cristina. YMCA Camp Cristina is 65 acres filled with activities, a ropes course, a pool, a lake and a zipline. Counselors are expected to aid kids in participating in CRUMBL TEACHER AWARD...........PG 3 these activities while enjoying the out- MOTORING TAMPA BAY..................PG 5 door experiences themselves. SHARKCON...........................................PG 15 The oldest Basquill siblings have worked at the camp for the past three SUMMER FOOD SERVICE.............PG 35 years and the youngest have worked EYE ON BUSINESS.................PGS 46-47 there for one year.
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