Grantees

Connecting Youth (CY) in Chittenden South Supervisory Union (CSSU) has one of the largest school-based mentoring programs in Vermont, serving 147 5th–8th grade students in the towns of Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne, Williston and St. George. Our existing program has a long distinguished history of promoting high quality one-to-one relationships between middle school students and caring adult volunteers, is often referred to as a model program and is a tremendous asset to our community. This grant will allow Connecting Youth to expand our mentoring program to include a hybrid (school and community based) mentoring program for students in grades 9-12.

Connecting Youth has a long history of providing high quality mentoring in one of the largest school districts in the state. Serving 180 students grades 5-12 in Champlain Valley SD (CVSD), our outcomes exceed expectations annually and our staff are frequently sought to provide technical assistance & professional development for other programs. In 2017 we launched a community based high school program that alleviated pressure on other local community based programs and more importantly allowed us to apply our expertise in a new way to better meet students' needs. As we enter the 2020 school year we are prepared to increase the FTE committed to the high school from 0.5 - 1.0, effectively doubling the size as envisioned in our original 5yr roll-out plan.

Support the successful, school-based CY Mentoring Program that matches students in grades 5 through 8 with caring adults in the community.

The Saint Albans Museum (SAM), located in the heart of St. Albans, Vermont, is a non-profit organization that aims to preserve and educate the public about the rich history of St. Albans and the greater Vermont region. In the past couple of years, SAM has made a strong effort to create a more engaging and inclusive environment for all community members, especially young children and families. Our program, CREATE at SAM! is the most recent and largest initiative to date to do just that; standing for Crafts, Reading, Exploration, Art, Technology, and Education at the Saint Albans Museum, this program is designed to provide children with opportunities for exploring local and state history in an interactive, hands-on and multi-disciplinary way.

Creative Lives will expand our existing after school program at White River School (serving pre-k-5 students) to include a summer program that mitigates summer learning loss, helps at-risk youth develop focus skills, explore their interests, and provides programming for families. The poverty rate at the school is 55% and 13% of families are homeless. An extended year program isn't available for non IEP students. Discussions with the Principal and WRS staff, parent feedback, and data point to a need for summer learning that prepares incoming kindergartners for success at school, develops literacy and math skills for K-5th grade students, teaches learning and study skills, develops discernment, and inspires a life-long love of learning.

Funding will be used for crib replacement.

Provide cross-country skills for afterschool program, vacation camps, physical education class and all-school recreation activities

Expand the afterschool homework club, tutoring program and be able to offer extended library services to meet the needs of students not able to participate.