Youth and Family Disability Resources: June 2016

It’s June, so it’s starting to warm up! Take a look below for some festivals, outdoor movies and concerts, and new resources along with some other free fun events.

Picnic and Lawn Games with Path-Way
Saturday, June 11, 11:00AM-3:00PM — Mayor Thomas Menino Park, Charlestown, Ma
Bring your family and friends to Thomas Menino Park on June 11th, and enjoy some of   PATH-WAY’s favorite   lawn games to include Cornhole Toss, Adaptive Mini Golf, Wheelchair Slalom, Giant Jenga, and so much more. There will be some food options, or you may bring your own picnic lunch. If interested, please contact stephz@path-way.org, or go to www.path-way.org.

Inclusive by Design Concert
Saturday, June 18th, 7:00 PM — Sheraton Hotel, Dalton St. Boston
You are cordially invited to attend an Inclusive by Design concert featuring legendary New Orleans bluesman Henry Butler this June in Boston at the Americans for the Arts Conference. Guitarist Noé Socha will open for Henry. Nancy Ostrovsky will create a large mural during the concert in a performance art style to provide a visual art expression. American Sign Language and Audio Description and captioning will also be employed to broaden the scope of participation. Tickets are Free.

2016 MA Youth Leadership Forum Logo Contest
Attention Graphic Designers & Artists! Each year we look for new designs for the Massachusetts Youth Leadership Forum logo! We need your help to find this year’s design to represent young adults with disabilities! The Massachusetts Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) is for High School students with disabilities who want to develop self-advocacy & leadership skills, begin to plan career goals, & build a network of supports & friends. PLEASE Submit your designs today (in JPEG format if possible) for the 2016 Ma Youth Leadership Forum Logo!

The chosen design will be used on this year’s YLF T-Shirts, Bags and handbooks! For more information or to submit your design, contact Nancy Bazanchuk, YLF Facilitator/Coordinator, via email at nbazanchuk@pyd.org

All submissions are due by June 10th, 2016. We look forward to your entry!

Bicycle Camp for Individuals with Disabilities
iCan Shine is a non-profit organization that teaches individuals with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheel bicycle through it’s iCan Bike program.  This five-day camp, requiring riders to attend only one 75-minute session per day, is taking place August 14th – 19th, 2016 at the Cambridge War Memorial. iCan Shine is a non-profit organization that collaborates with local organizations to host camps in their communities.  This camp is being hosted by local high school students Nina Katz-Christy and Zaida Block in collaboration with the Cambridge Recreation Department.

iCan Shine uses adapted equipment, trained professionals and volunteers. With 75 minutes of instruction over five days, over 80% of riders learn to ride a conventional bicycle independently by the end of camp. To be eligible to enroll, riders must be at least eight years old, have a disability and be able to walk without an assistive device such as a walker or cane.  Riders must be able to side-step quickly to both sides.  Riders must have a minimum inseam measurement of 20 inches and weigh no more than 220 pounds.

Cost of the camp is $250. Rider Registration and Volunteer Registration forms can be found at: http://icanshine.org/ican-bike-cambridge-ma/.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT icanbikecambridgema@gmail.com

Partners for Youth with Disabilities Field Day: Adaptive & accessible fun in the sun!
Sunday, June 26 from 10:30AM to 1:30PM — 235 Western Ave, Allston, MA
Starting to look forward to summer? Save the date for our annual Field Day on Sunday, June 26 from 10:30AM to 1:30PM! We’re partnering with the Beantown Softball League, and it will take place at the softball fields at 235 Western Ave in Allston. Lunch will be provided! And we’re hoping for a big crowd, so please spread the word. Even youth that aren’t involved in PYD are welcome to attend.

If you’re interested in participating, please RSVP to Ashley at abrueske@pyd.org.

Free Fun Fridays
The Highland Street Foundation has started up its Free Fun Fridays! Enjoy free admission to museums, movie screenings, and other fun activities around Massachusetts Friday evenings throughout the summer starting June 24th.

New Resource: Cerebral Palsy Guidance
From information on cerebral palsy symptoms to financial assistance to daily living articles, this website covers all aspects of cerebral palsy. And all of the information is thoroughly researched and cited.

Arlington Porchfest
Saturday, June 11, 2016, 1-5PM — Various locations in Arlington, MA
Welcome to Arlington Porchfest – your grassroots community music festival! On Saturday, June 11, from 1 to 5pm, over 100 local musicians will play on front porches throughout East Arlington, while attendees enjoy lots of free music and local color as they walk and bike around the neighborhoods. Download the Map & Schedule for this year’s Arlington Porchfest. This free festival is family-friendly and runs from Route 16 to Route 60 and from the Mystic Lakes to Spy Pond. Map and full band line-up here. Feel free to bring your own food and beverages. Just remember that each venue is someone’s home, so please be sure that you are respectful and clean up after yourself. Public rules apply for alcohol and dogs. There is plenty of on-street parking and public transportation serving East Arlington. Walking and biking are encouraged as the best way to soak up as much music as possible!

Newton Highlands Village Day
Sunday, June 12, 2016 — Lincoln St, Newton Highland, MA, 02461
Newton Highlands Village Day is the oldest Village Day in the country. This year marks its 41st anniversary. This outdoor street festival live music, beer garden, kid amusements, silent auction, a 5K road race/fun run, cartoon characters, face painting, caricature artist, local craft and food vendors, delicious food, dancers, jugglers, magicians and game tables. Live music on West Stage will include popular children’s performers including Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys, as well as Crocodile River Music. The East Stage will feature all jazz, including Dave Milazzo and Tal Kolbi. 5K Road Race at 10AM. Street Festival at 11AM – 4PM. FREE admission, FREE bounce houses, FREE entertainment.

Free Friday Flicks at the Hatch Shell
47 David G Mugar Way, Boston, MA 02108, Boston, MA
Friday, June 24, 2016 – Sunday, August 28, 2016, Dusk / 8:00pm
Now a beloved, summertime tradition for New England families, Free Friday Flicks are classic & popular, family-oriented movies shown each Friday night throughout the summer at the DCR Hatch Shell on the Esplanade for FREE! People of all ages flock to the banks of the Charles River with their own chairs, blankets and picnics to enjoy these Free movies under the stars. All movies are shown rain or shine at sundown (approximately 8:30pm – more exact times are listed below). But come early to grab your spot on the lawn…and visit the WBZ Tent for lots of free giveaways, food samples and fun interactive games! Friday June 24, Sunset (~8:22 pm) – Minions (PG)

37th Annual Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
Saturday, Jun 11, 2016 7:00AM-Sunday, Jun 12, 2016 5:00PM
MIT Pierce Boathouse 409 Memorial Drive Cambridge, MA 02139
The Dragon Boat Festival transforms old traditions into an exciting sporting and cultural event, right on the Charles River. Arts and crafts. Tasty food!

Juneteenth: Evolution of Freedom
Wednesday, Jun 15, 2016 5:00PM-9:45PM — Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave. Boston, MA 02115
For the 4th Year Epicenter Community formally Future Boston and the Museum of Fine Arts have come together to create a night of live art and performance in honor and celebration of Juneteenth – the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Last year we brought over 2,200 community members and residents to the Museum of Fine Arts to continue the celebration for Freedom & this year is promised to be a night of exquisite aesthetics, sound, and performance. Join Epicenter Community & Our Community Partners for a night of Celebration, Local Fashion Couture, Film, & Community Dialogue around Art as a means of protest, inspiration & survival.

Programming to include: Sneak Peek of Roxbury International Film Fest City Talks : Activate : How do artists use art as a means of protest, inspiration, and survival?

Moderated by Valerie Stephens, Performing Artist and Arts Educator Panelists to include: Kenneth Bailey, Design Studio for Social Intervention Edo G, Hip Hop Artist Obehi Janice, Actress, Writer, Comedian Fashion Designers: Diaspora Neckware | Kreyol | Blur Visuals | Kush Groove | Lana Muse Designs Live Mural Artists: Mike MerkThose & Geo Rodriguez Visual Artists: D. iRvin Photograph More Programming Details (Events & Times) to Come! This Event is Free & Open to the Public | Youth & Families are Encouraged to Attend

Marini Farm Strawberry Festival
Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 10:00AM-5:00PM — Marini Farm 259 Linebrook Road Ipswich, MA 01938
Great family event with hours of activities; strawberry picking, jumping pillow, hayrides, inflatables park, visit the farm’s animal pen, enjoy some strawberry shortcake, and visit the Marini Farm Bakery.

Brighton Sounds: Concerts in the Park!
Thursday, Jun 23, 2016 6:30PM-8:30PM — Brighton Common 24 Chestnut Hill Avenue Brighton, MA 02135
Join us for music in the park kicking off the Brighton Sounds FREE summer concert series. Renown Boston band B3 Kings, along with electrifying guitarist Johnny Trama, will bring their dynamic blend of modern soul, jazz, and funk to the stage. Ride your bike and get some maintenance advice from CommonWheels.

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