YMCA Of Downtown Manchester Receives $10,000 Grant

Press release from YMCA:

June 21, 2022

After a two-year hiatus from community-wide events, The YMCA of Downtown Manchester, located at 30 Mechanic Street, is proud to invite the community to its 6th Annual Rock the Block celebration on Saturday, June 25 from 12:00 – 2:00 pm.

“The YMCA of Downtown Manchester is incredibly excited to bring back and host the 6th Annual Rock the Block celebration,” said Jené Riley, the new Executive Director of the YMCA of Downtown Manchester.

“This year is extra special as the YMCA of Downtown Manchester is a recipient of a $10,000 grant to help us promote community health and wellness through our Rock the Block party. As part of the Community Event and Activation Grant, we want to thank our current members and further encourage their ongoing commitment to individual and family wellness,” said Michele Sheppard, Interim President/CEO of The Granite YMCA.

“We are also hoping to inspire the community at large to take advantage of our youth and family programs and services. We know the YMCA changes lives for the better and can play a positive and pivotal role in the physical and emotional health of children who have been impacted by the pandemic,” Riley added.

The Community Event & Activation Grant is being offered as City government services to promote community-based projects and events contributing to community health and safety, economic development, and tourism to help Manchester recover from the negative economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Serving families has always been at the heart of the Y, and events like this bring all of us closer together. We are extremely grateful to have been selected for this generous grant to support Rock the Block,” Riley said.

The 2022 Rock the Block will close Mechanic Street to vehicle traffic, which will allow for a safe experience for pedestrians and room for activities and vendors. Featured activities include a live DJ, games, bounce house, arts & crafts, face painting, giveaways, and more. The event will also feature wellness activities with Thrive Outdoors.

In addition to the events taking place outside on Mechanic Street, attendees are encouraged to take a tour of the branch. Anyone that attends the event and joins as a new member will have their “join fee” waived and may be eligible for additional membership savings the new Flexible Membership rates.

This free, family-friendly event is open to everyone in the community. Food and beverages will be available.

For more information about this event go to www.graniteymca.org/rock-the-block.

This press release was produced by YMCA. The views expressed here are the author's own.