Grantees

Purchase camping equipment for students in WOOP and to provide wildness first aid training to the WOOP advisor. It will also cover costs associated with hiring consultants to introduce specialized skills to WOOP participants.

A program to assist teens on how to resolve conflicts.

We are respectfully requesting funding to purchase full-body rain suits for children in the Y’s Early Childhood Program. Outdoor play is central to our philosophy and curriculum—but without proper waterproof gear, it becomes harder for children to fully participate, especially during Vermont’s muddy spring and wet fall. While some families can provide high-quality outerwear, many send children in warm but not waterproof gear. Outfitting children with seasonal gear is expensive, and not all families can provide waterproof clothing—limiting some children’s ability to participate fully in outdoor play. This funding will allow us to purchase 65 rain suits to build a shared inventory across classrooms. These suits will improve our ability to get children outside more often and for longer stretches, in all seasons. They will also ease a common challenge for educators: navigating concerns from families uncomfortable with children getting wet or messy—concerns that can limit outdoor time, which is essential for hands-on learning, exploration, and development. With suits on hand, we can increase time outdoors and in the community, and ensure more children have equitable opportunities to explore, move, and learn. This investment supports our goal of helping all children build resilience, curiosity, and confidence—regardless of the weather.

This funding will support the Y Early Learning Readiness Program, an evidence-based early learning support program for underserved or economically-disadvantaged children and their at-home caregivers.

Program educates and trains home-based caregivers on developmentally appropriate learning activities for children ages 0-5.

The Y Early Childhood Program contributes to the overall well-being and future success of our children and, simply put, enhances their quality of life for years to come. We provide high-quality early care and education for 175 infants and children ages 6 weeks-5 years. Our sites are accredited by NAEYC and rated 5 STARS by the State of Vermont. The Y nurtures the family as a whole, while providing extensive supports to at-risk and low-income children to equalize their development with that of their peers. The purchase of iPads for use in the classrooms will benefit our program by offering opportunity for more frequent contact with parents via email/newsletters; curriculum planning; and portfolio documentation.

Run a summer camp for preschoolers based in nature.

A summer day program for preschoolers.