As the city began to emerge from the isolation of quarantine and social distancing imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic in the summer of 2021, the Trefler Foundation’s leadership saw an opportunity to engage meaningfully with Boston’s neighborhoods as they began to reconnect and heal.
This initiative, now known as the Summer in the City program, began in partnership with six organizations with deep community connections. The grants awarded aimed to support access to high-quality summer programming to provide physical and emotional support to Boston’s youth and families.
FOR THE SUMMER OF 2023, THE TREFLER FOUNDATION IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT IT HAS EXPANDED THIS INITIATIVE BY FUNDING SUMMER PROGRAMMING FOR 20 LOCAL, GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS
Since then, the Summer in the City program has expanded significantly in size, scope, and purpose. The 2023 cohort organizations have expanded to include 20 grassroots and community-based organizations, seven of which are returning to renew and increase their impact in underserved Boston neighborhoods.
Pam Trefler, Trustee“Investing in a variety of high-quality summer programs is important because it allows young people to explore new areas of personal growth, whether through, arts, athletics, work, or community service.”
Jessica Castro, Vice President of Programs and Operations has overseen this initiative’s growth and continued success. Her leadership and approach to the Summer in the City grant program is directly inspired by the interests and priorities of the Foundation’s trustee, Pam Trefler. At the outset, the program sought to extend resources to organizations that were using public spaces to the benefit of the larger community. Grants were given in support of creating safe, fun, and enriching experiences for youth in urban city neighborhoods.
Jessica has spent the majority of her career working in nonprofits throughout Boston. Her professional experience and longstanding community connections have helped the Foundation partner with bold, effective leaders of small organizations in inner-city neighborhoods.
Two years on and the Greater Boston community continues its post-pandemic healing journey. There has been no better moment for the Summer in the City program to deepen and broaden its reach. While the program maintains its initial vision of energizing access and utilization of public spaces, the Trefler Foundation has expanded its focus to include support for summer learning, career development for youth and young adults, girls’ involvement in sports, and increase opportunities for youth to engage in arts and cultural experiences throughout the city.
Our partner organizations presented creative and diverse community programming, from bike repair workshops to nature exploration and from sports-based youth development to wrap-around college access support. The program’s expansion provides needed support to our partner organizations as they work to bring more programming to underserved youth and families throughout Boston and to invigorate collaboration and connection among community leaders in different neighborhoods.
Boston Debate League – Debate Camp is a chance for BDL’s After-School Debate students to hone their public speaking and leadership skills, meet debaters from other schools, and get a head start on the debate season.
Boys & Girls Club Boston – Ready To Work and Ready To Work Academy will focus on career exploration and community service.
BCYF – Gallivan Community Center – The Mind, Body, and Spirit will focus on Arts/Crafts, STEM, Leadership, Financial Literacy, Career Week, Civic Engagement, Culinary Arts, and Food Access. Along with weekly programming, Gallivan will have themed events: bike repair hub, cooking club, Boys Midnight Madness, Senior citizens health workshops, a weekly bake-off, and appreciation cookout.
CommUnity Cares – This More Life Fest’s overall goal is to reduce barriers that make primary care access difficult such as time, costs, and beliefs; catalyze new associations and relationships with primary care rooted in thriving and joy. Teaching and helping community members a frame of reference to navigate the healthcare system from the moment someone walks out of their door to the moment they walk back inside.
Daddy & Me – Daddy & Me will host summer pop-up story times for families in the community. Sessions will include a story, activity, resources, and refreshments. In addition to our monthly book club, Daddy & Me will host weekly literacy sessions in partnership with local youth programs. The Annual Daddy & Me Family Fun Day and Community Resource Fair is an opportunity for families to come together for a day full of community, fun, and enrichment
GenUnity – The summer discussion series, focused on a question that has often been at the heart of our cohort dialogues: “What’s holding me back from driving change at a systemic level?” Beyond being a space for members to share in one another’s challenges and successes, this discussion series will also surface ideas for how GenUnity can build the infrastructure.
G.R.O.W. Girls Reflecting Our World – The G.R.O.W. Retreat will take place in Oak Bluffs, Martha Vineyard. The retreat was developed to create a safe space for Boston’s inner-city girls to heal and restore in a safe and supportive natural environment and to build emotional self-defense and lasting relationships. A place without the trauma-filled environmental triggers of everyday life at home. This year’s retreat will focus on resilience through life’s transitions.
Hoops Collaborative Youth Development Center – The program offers a variety of activities that cater to the interests and needs of our participants. These include basketball drills and games, fitness and conditioning exercises, leadership and teamwork workshops, and community service projects. The activities are designed to be fun, engaging, and challenging so that our participants can learn and grow in a supportive and positive environment.
Inner City Sports: Nxt Era Panthers – a year-round, Boston-based, traveling competitive youth flag football team. The Nxt Era Panthers 7-vs-7 youth touch and flag football organization serves some of the most talented student-athletes in Boston’s inner city. While football is an avenue of engagement, workshops are incorporated for a holistic approach to meeting the needs of the youth via mental health workshops and book club. The goal is to offer young people a platform to develop into better versions of themselves.
Leadership Brainery – Leadership Brainery Ambassadors (LBAs) are in a robust cohort program for 18 months, from their junior through senior year, to ensure they meet the necessary admissions requirements, complete any prerequisite exams/courses, develop personally and professionally, and remain on track for postgraduate enrollment. They ensure that underestimated students with intersecting identities have the transferable skills and inclusive networks they need to thrive in an ever-evolving workforce from a lens of hope, equity, and action.
One Love Sports Academy – OSLA will host the One Love Sports League this summer at Mary Hannon Playground in Roxbury. The league will consist of basketball and football training and daily unity circles for youth ages 9 – 13. Youth and their families will join on Fridays for a weekly resource day, including food, music, and vital resources.
P I M Project, Inc. (Prevention-Intervention-Mediation) – in partnership with DCR, the project will provide disadvantaged children from the urban core of Boston, with a learning tour and exploration of harbor islands, campsites, and recreation facilities. The mini-Olympics will include running, frisbee, softball shotput, team tug-of-war, fishing, and hiking. Moreover, organized sports will take place at various locations across the City.
Project 351 – The Alumni Leadership Summit is a forum for enrichment, skills development, reflection and goal setting, and community building for the Alumni Leadership Council. At Summit, ALC members will engage in training and enrichment essential to the successful execution of our mission in preparation for the second half of our service year and the following day’s Leadership Reunion.
Rose Conservatory – Rose Conservatory offers children high-quality musical education. Campers enjoy disciplined training and performance opportunities in a low-pressure culture. Students at all levels will experience individual growth and personal enrichment through the joy of music.
Score4More – Score4more, Inc.’s 14th Annual Save R Streets Silence the Violence Summer Classic Weekend is a weekend-long basketball tournament where young people take the lead and are stipend to run a two-day event. Score4More hosts a BBQ throughout this weekend event, providing free food for the players, referees, and spectators. More importantly, members of Boston Police’s Gang Unit are there to provide a presence but, most importantly, to demonstrate support for an important community event, to build much-needed positive relationships with the young people of the neighborhood, and to see some great basketball.
Smash Mouth Wrestling Club Inc (SMW) – SMW serves high school boys, including rising freshmen. Students will have the opportunity to showcase their skills this summer at 4 tournaments. A major component of SMW includes its mentoring program. Student-athletes are matched with a mentor, who is currently a student-athlete. Each week there are a series of speakers who come onsite and speak to the student-athletes about a variety of topics including self-esteem, gun violence, college life, etc.
The BASE – The BASE will continue to primarily work with high school students on their post-grad plan and provide summer internships through its career partners. STEM education programming is offered, primarily through robotics with an emphasis on coding, engineering, and math. While incorporating teamwork, critical thinking skills, and leadership development
The Upward Project – The two-week summer program prepares scholars who have just graduated from high school to successfully transition to college and begin the process of mapping their career pathways. The scholars attend workshops on a range of topics from how to navigate college academics, resume building, how to network, and how to build a sense of community on campus.
United South End Settlements (USES) – Camp Hale serves as a place of learning, exploration, and community for hundreds of youths from the Greater Boston area. Summer sleepaway camps offer a unique opportunity for youth to connect with nature, challenge themselves in new ways, and learn how to build both independence and the ability to rely on and support their peers.
Youth In Crisis, Inc. – will host a girls’ and boys’ summer basketball clinic program. During the weekly program, there will be guest speakers, workshops, and fun-filled events. The 21st Annual Scoops and Hoops event will host an event for all ages, including a basketball tournament, physical activities for children, and a concert.
