CENTER OF IT ALL: The swimming pools – three of them – beckon you. See it all on July 10. (Photos by Jack Reynolds)
At the St. Francis Community Center in Brant Beach, the 50th year is celebrated with open houses to show everyone what to get involved in – whether they’re year-round or visiting for a week’s vacation at the resort. .
This open house on Sunday, July 10 throws the doors wide open to showcase the pools, gym, programs and services.
All are invited to stop at 4700 Long Beach Boulevard and learn that at the beach, the “community” is a welcoming place. The center offers programs ranging from recreation to social services.
If vacationers didn’t know they could sign up for swimming lessons or shoot hoops in the gymnasium, or send their kids to summer camp by the bay, they’ll find out at the open house that will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 10.
In fact, on this day and time, customers can dive into some of the activities right away. A free time of indoor swimming, yoga classes, basketball in the gymnasium (sign up at 609-494-8861) and children’s crafts will be underway. Stop by all the tables explaining the programs and services for a chance to win a free pool membership.
“We want everyone to see our programs,” administrative staff member Amanda DeFusco said as she and the center’s executive director, Wendy Saunders, detailed the outreach this week. “It’s an open day for everyone. Now that we are launching one of our biggest weekends of the summer, we hope to attract more vacationers who don’t really know what the center has to offer.
Time can be scheduled on the regulation size gymnasium floor.
St. Francis Community Center is a separate entity from the parish church behind which it sits, and as such has been non-denominational since its founding in 1972.
People “can get past it when they go to Beach Haven; they can see the church but don’t really know what’s behind the church,” added DeFusco, who is public relations, special events and volunteer coordinator.
“They might come to the Festival of the Sea (August 9-13 this year) not knowing there’s a whole community center there,” Saunders added.
“They may not know that we have summer leisure courses. The beach may be too crowded or their rental may not have a pool. We have three swimming pools. We have so much for their family,” DeFusco explained.
July 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. is a good time to stop by for several reasons. On the one hand, customers can meet and greet managers from all departments.
The busy pantry is just one of many service programs.
Founded in 1972, Long Beach Island Community Center Inc., known as St. Francis Community Center, provides a variety of services and programs regardless of age, race, gender, nationality, religious affiliation , disability or socio-economic status. Services include a preschool, senior center, aquatic center, counseling center, family support services, youth program, educational support services, recreation program, volunteer program and many special events. Facilities at the center include a regulation gymnasium, an indoor heated competition pool and two outdoor pools.
“A lot of our summer activities, a lot of summer youth camps, are week-long,” DeFusco said, noting that vacationers going for a week can check ahead and sign up. “For example, the Ultimate Recreation Camp Games are August 8-12, so if you’re here that week, you can join in. There are so many courses that are offered, they will find something.
The center actually started out with just a seniors services program. Now the staff like to call the St. Francis Community Center “The Center of It All”. For seniors, it can also be a meeting place, which comes alive in the summer.
“We have a core of women and men who are here year-round,” Saunders said, “but they love the summer because people come back and they come back to play. So they see different people.
One thing permanent residents may not know is that outreach services for seniors are “hybrid” as COVID caution persists. Saunders explained, “Customers can come in or we’ll go to their house if they don’t want to be in public.” Doing the paperwork to verify eligibility for services such as health insurance or energy assistance is one of many outreach services.
Leisure programs are chargeable. Seniors service programs do not. On a more year-round approach, other programs are offered on a sliding scale to county residents. Funding comes from federal, state and local governments, private foundations and the public.
A brochure detailing the 2022 summer timetable is online at stfranciscenterlbi.org. It can also be picked up in the center lobby at 4700 Long Beach Blvd., Brant Beach.
There are a few more reasons to stop on July 10. Just by attending, people get a voucher for 10% off the cost of a summer course. Also, ask about the $20 pool birthday party discount coupon the center offers for off-season kids.
Light refreshments will be served during the open house.
You can find more information about the center at stfranciscenterlbi.org. The phone number is 609-494-8861.
— Maria Scandal
