For those looking to work on their game throughout the indoor season, free drop-in basketball hours are offered at a number of Town and Manchester Public School facilities. Drop-in basketball hours include:

●      Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center (110 Cedar Street):

○      Monday-Friday, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

○      Saturday, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

●      Community Y Rec Center (78 N Main Street):

○      Monday-Friday, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

○      Saturday, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

●      Waddell Elementary School (163 Broad Street):

○      Monday-Thursday, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

The Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center, located at 110 Cedar Street, is home to three floors of programming space, including a gym for drop-in basketball, Art, Dance and Tech Labs, as well as unique programming spaces for special registration-based programs. From movement-based programs such as Jazz for Kids & Xteme HipHop Step to more contemplative offerings such as Holiday Paint Nights and Intro to Crochet, the Leisure Labs is your home for after-school fun this fall. For further information on the Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center, please visit their official Facebook page.

Neighborhoods & Families Division

Housed at the Eastside Neighborhood Resource Center at 153 Spruce Street, the Neighborhoods & Families Division’s mission is to serve the needs of Manchester’s youth, families, and neighborhoods by coordinating communication among policy-makers, service providers, and the public. For further information on the Neighborhood & Families Division, please visit their official website.

Now in its fourth season, the Northwest Park Farmers Market runs Wednesdays, September4 – October 30 from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Northwest Park, 448 Tolland Turnpike. Vendor selections are thoughtfully curated to include diverse foods and business owners, as well as live music and weekly market themes. The market offers a variety of supplemental nutrition programs, including:

●      SNAP Doubling: The market accepts SNAP/EBT payments and will double the value of SNAP purchases up to $30.00 (spend $30.00 using your EBT card to receive an additional $30.00 to spend on SNAP-eligible items).

●      Power of Produce (P.O.P.) Program: Each week, all market attendees 17 and under will receive a $2.00 voucher to spend on any fresh produce.

●      Senior Power of Produce (S.P.O.P.) Program: This program allows Manchester residents 60+ to register for a weekly $5.00 voucher to spend on any fresh fruits or vegetables. Registration can be completed by contacting the Manchester Senior Center at (860)647-3211.

Two annual favorites are returning to the Neighborhoods & Families Division this fall: the Eastside Family Movie Night series & Family Fun Nights. Eastside Family Movie Nights are held on the first Friday of the month, September – December, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Eastside Neighborhood Resource Center. Attendees are invited to dress up as their favorite Disney character for screenings of classics such as Beauty & The Beast, Princess & The Frog & Frozen.

The free Family Fun Night series, a longtime staple of the Neighborhoods & Families Division, is back, with sessions scheduled on the 3rd Friday of the month, September – December, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Eastside Neighborhood Resource Center. With themes including Board Game Night, Friendship Bracelet Night and more, come enjoy a night of wholesome, family-friendly fun.

In addition to Neighborhoods & Families programming, the Eastside Neighborhood Resource Center also hosts the UR Community Cares Tech Center, a licensed Senior Planet partner that focuses on offering health and wellness, social engagement, financial security and civic involvement opportunities. The Tech Center is open Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Tuesday by appointment only); call (860)430-4557 to register or visit their website to see the monthly schedule.

Youth Service Bureau

The Manchester Youth Service Bureau is devoted to providing opportunities for personal growth to Manchester youth through a variety of no-cost and low cost programs, services and activities aimed at developing responsible individuals who make positive contributions to the community. For further information on the Youth Service Bureau, please visit their official website.

For parents with children aged 0-5, be sure to join in at the Bureau’s slate of early childhood programs and events. Are you a mother with a baby one year or under? Join in at Robin’s Mothering Group, a weekly program that provides you the chance to meet other mothers and receive advice from board certified consultants. Looking for structured play? My Baby & Me and My Toddler & Me offer drop-in playgrounds that establish a community of new parents and provide early socialization opportunities for their children.

In addition to early childhood programming, the Youth Service Bureau also has offerings available for older children and teens. Programs such as the Red Cross Babysitting Certification Class, Employment Readiness Program and the Youth & Police program provide teenagers development and socialization-based offerings, all while allowing them to explore potential career opportunities.

The Youth Service Bureau plays host to a variety of in-school programs, including FACTS at Manchester High School and Girls Circle at Bennett Academy. FACTS is a substance use prevention program for young people that provides the tools to stay sober, learn stress-management strategies and train leadership skills; for further information, please contact Samantha Bell at [email protected]. Girls Circle is an evidence-based program for girls that explores what it means to be a girl and navigate growing up as a young woman in today’s society; please call Tasha Weston at (860)647-5215 for further information.

This fall, be sure to join the Town of Manchester’s Department of Leisure, Family and Recreation at their slate of programs, projects and special events. With offerings for those all ages, abilities and interests, the Department has you covered this fall.