Summer Learning Programs among $79,000 in New Grants from CCNBB
New Britain, Conn. (June 14, 2011) – The Community Chest of New Britain and Berlin, Inc. (CCNBB) has issued its first round of 2011 grants totaling $79,000 supporting the programs of seven local nonprofit organizations. Among them, $10,000 will go to support “Summer Learning in the Community,” a pilot project of the New Britain Early Childhood Collaborative (NBECC) and $9,000 will help fund Smalley Academy, a pilot summer program run by the United Way of Central and Northeastern CT.
“Children who don’t read, or are not read to, during the summer lose 3 months of reading development a year. Over the course of their elementary school years that time compounds to a year and a half of reading loss in the summers alone” explains Merrill Gay, Executive Director for NBECC. The “Summer Learning” program is aimed at filling the void of enrichment programming for families with young children during the summer months when schools and resource centers are closed. CCNBB funding will enable the Collaborative to provide six weeks of literacy-based programming to families with young children in multiple locations across the city. Four classes will be offered (six sessions each) and 36 drop in programs will be offered
The United Way’s Smalley Academy is focused on strengthening academics among incoming 4th graders. “We know that New Britain’s third graders are reading at the lowest level in the state, and we know that summer learning loss leaves them even farther behind when they start fourth grade,” said Brad Palazzo, vice chair of United Way of New Britain and Berlin’s advisory board. “United Way’s goal is to help children get back on track and stay on track, so they eventually become high school graduates – not high school dropouts,” he added. “We have high hopes for the Smalley Academy summer youth enrichment program, and we are excited to be partnering with the Community Chest of New Britain and Berlin to create lasting change.” The program will begin this summer with incoming 4th graders at Smalley identified as below proficiency and mandated to attend summer school from 8:30-noon. Students will participate in additional programming in the afternoon provided by Community Based Organizations partnering in the initiative. Six agencies have been chosen as partners and will host students from 1-3 pm from July 5-August 4. Partnering agencies include the YWCA, Urban Oaks Organic Farm, New Britain Youth Theater, New Britain Youth Museum, New Britain Museum of American Art and New Britain Parks and Recreation.
Other Community Chest grant recipients are:
Connecticut Community Care, Inc. - will receive $5,000 to assist senior citizens from Berlin and New Britain to live at home by purchasing assistive equipment or providing necessary home repair for seniors in need.
Connecticut Legal Services - will receive $10,000 to provide legal services to low-income residents in New Britain and Berlin.
The Friendship Service Center - will receive $10,000 to support the Center’s emergency shelter and community kitchen which provides basic services to those in need.
Mayor’s Work Plan to End Homelessness (YWCA is the Fiscal Sponsor) - will receive $15,000 to support the three Plan components: the Housing & Employment Liaison position, the Bus Pass project and Fresh Start which helps those establishing independent living.
Workforce Solutions Collaborative of Metro Hartford (United Way of Central and Northeastern CT is the Fiscal Sponsor) - will receive $20,000 to partner with employers in New Britain and Berlin for the career advancement of low-income workers.
About the Community Chest of New Britain and Berlin, Inc.
A supporting organization of the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, the Community Chest funds programs and initiatives in the health and human service areas by providing program grants, general operating support and seed funding for new projects. A local and independent Board of Directors identifies and invests resources in programs and initiatives that benefit the New Britain and Berlin communities.
About The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain
Established in 1941, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain connects donors who care with causes that matter in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. It does this by raising resources and developing partnerships that make a measurable improvement in the quality of life in each of these communities.
Media Contact:
Mary Engvall, Andrea Obston Marketing Communications
m.e.marketing@comcast.net
860.205.3519
For more information and resources, please visit our online newsroom at
http://aomcnewsroom.com/
# # #