Build A Dream Scholarships Open Rec Center Doors for Children
By Office of Communicatio
Posted on February 19, 2013, February 19, 2013

Learn to dance. Take up art. Or even try gymnastics.

Arlington's Build-A-Dream Scholarship Program will accept applications 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Parks and Recreation office, 717 Main Street.

The scholarship program is designed to provide recreation opportunities for under-served Arlington families with children 4 months to 16 years old. To be eligible, families must meet low-income criteria and live in Arlington.

Activities include music, dance and art classes, gymnastics and swim lessons, sports leagues and after-school programs. Participants are encouraged to develop new skills, gain social interaction and take part in physical activity in a safe environment, said Tywanda Craft, who coordinates the city program.

"This is a wonderful, positive program, ' Craft said. "It is all about helping kids with their self-esteem and positively impacting their health. '

In 2011, the Build-A-Dream Scholarship served roughly 1,000 Arlington children. The program now has funds to provide scholarships to about 400 children, and another sign-up will be in August.

Families will be required to pay a $5 registration fee and provide income verification at Tuesday's sign-up.

Scholarships are for $65 per child, with a maximum of two children per family.

Funding for the program comes from a combination of sources, including the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation and Community Development and Block Grants. Citizens also can make tax-deductible donations here.

For more information, call 817-459-5474 or go to www.naturallyfun.org. Applications are available in English andSpanish.

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