Massachusetts Department of Public Health brings “Positive Tracks” program to New Bedford youth

Positive Tracks is excited to partner with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Community Health and Prevention to host a Positive Tracks launch at the Invest-In-Kids Saturday Academy.

Positive Tracks, a New Hampshire- and Massachusetts-based nonprofit whose mission is to help young people create social change by leveraging the power of sports and physical activity, will guide youth through an afternoon of games and facilitated conversation designed to center youth experiences and support their desire to create change within their own communities.

“We’re eager to meet the young people of New Bedford and help them understand what it means to Sweat for Good,” said Nakia Navarro, Director of Community Organizing at Positive Tracks. “This is an incredible opportunity to stand alongside youth as they use sport to dig into what they’re passionate about and, ultimately, choose action. Most importantly, we want them to understand that they have a voice and that their voice matters.”

Kids participating in the Positive Tracks launch will be guided through a series of fun, inclusive games, aimed to facilitate conversation around issues identified by the youth themselves. Each activity is designed to offer young people a pathway to sharing their ideas and understanding the power they have to make a difference in their own back yards. Through physical activity, youth will learn the basic concepts of community organizing for social change and how Positive Tracks can support them in that process.

“We’re grateful to the Department of Public Health and Positive Tracks for the opportunity to bring this great program to the students participating in the City’s Invest-in-Kids Saturday Academy,” said Damon Chaplin, Director of Public Health for the City of New Bedford.

The Positive Tracks launch at the Invest-In-Kids Saturday Academy will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Dennison Memorial Community Center, 755 South First Street. Anyone with questions may contact Damon Chaplin at 508-991-6199.