In the summer of 2021, the Trefler Foundation awarded six grants to small, local, grassroots organizations. These organizations provide important services and programming that extend deep into their communities to reach underserved youth and families.
Over the past two years Jessica Castro, Director of Programs and Operations has led this initiative. Her approach is directly inspired by the interests and priorities of the Foundation’s trustee, Pam Trefler, to use public spaces for the benefit of the community. Last summer, the Foundation partnered with six organizations that were doing just that–creating safe, fun, and enriching experiences for youth in urban city neighborhoods.
This summer, the Foundation is excited to announce that it has expanded this initiative by funding summer programming for 11 local, grassroots organizations.
Jessica has spent the majority of her career working in nonprofits throughout Boston. Her work experience and personal connections have helped the Foundation partner with bold, effective leaders of small organizations in inner-city neighborhoods.
With the trustees’ vision in mind, Jessica has expanded the reach and impact of the Foundation’s grassroots grantmaking by welcoming five more organizations into this summer’s cohort. The summer initiative incorporates the Foundation’s central approaches to its grantmaking by amplifying the bold leadership of these organizations, cultivating innovative ideas to reach into these underserved communities, and investing for social impact.
What else can we do here? Park spaces are important, but what else does the community need?
Jessica Castro, Director of Programs & Operations
The initiative’s expansion not only welcomes new organizations but also includes a focus on academic remediation. These opportunities target youth and teens who have been especially affected by the pandemic’s toll on education outcomes.
The combination of fun, recreational activities with academic remediation will provide inner-city youth and teens safe spaces to learn and grow. Each program seeks to help youth reach their potential by building their confidence through mentorship, connection, and unconditional support.
Inner City Sports: Nxt Era Panthers, a year-round, Boston-based, traveling competitive youth flag football team. This program aims to inspire and educate inner-city youth through sports, mentorship, and financial literacy by increasing access to resources with a focus on community and development. In addition to athletics, the youth athletes participate in the Nxt Era book club and life skills workshops.
P I M Project, Inc. (Prevention-Intervention-Mediation) for the Summer in the City 2022 program, a non-competitive, noncontact sports initiative for inner-city youth that will focus on providing a high-quality physical fitness program with a health and wellness component. The program will integrate the organization’s mission to provide positive self-development strategies to youth, adolescents, and young men of color. In addition to this year’s sports program, PIM will provide a weekly “Getaway” to Blue Hills Reservations where youth will have the opportunity to leave the community and engage in social-emotional support individually and in a group capacity.
Youth In Crisis, Inc. will host a co-ed basketball clinic program, connecting high school seniors with college-level coaches. This training program will develop technical basketball skills, and team-building skills, as well as contribute to social-emotional wellness for participants. The participants will then participate in a day-long tournament at the 21st Annual Scoops and Hoops event.
Project 351, for the annual Spring Summit, a forum for enrichment, skills development, reflection and goal setting, and community building for the Alumni Leadership Council. The Council is a community of exemplary mentors and leaders selected through competitive application to serve as a catalyst and incubator for our youth-led movement for social change.
Haley House will be hosting the annual block party, bringing the community together to honor outgoing Executive Director Bing Broderick’s leadership and welcome Reggie Jean to the role.
Boys & Girls Club of Boston for the Ready-to-Work Program at Yawkey Club of Roxbury. This year-round program provides the Club’s teens with workforce readiness training, college and career exploration, mentoring, and paid internships to expand their opportunities for successful careers.
The Hyppe will hold a summer enrichment camp where students will receive academic remediation in English and Math from licensed, culturally competent Boston Public School teachers. When not in class, participants will dance, learn about health and fitness, watch movies, and receive mentoring from the organization’s leadership.
Boston Center for Youth & Families–Gallivan Community Center for their Chef’s Club program that introduces youth ages 13-17 to meal planning and food preparation. A small group will get hands-on experience from a certified chef to learn about meal planning and cooking techniques. The Chef’s Club will also focus on nutrition education and food justice, with the youth cooking nutritious meals with the harvested produce from the Center’s garden.
Dimock Community Health Center is holding its 8th annual Road to Wellness 5k Walk/Run on September 10, 2022. This event celebrates community, culture, and the journey to mind, body, and spiritual health and wellness.
RISE Academy will be providing students with full-time academic remediation for 6 weeks led by licensed, culturally competent Boston Public School teachers. The program also focuses on helping participants develop a sense of self-discipline and self-respect that will foster personal responsibility and accountability.
Boston Debate League will be holding its annual Summer Debate Camp, a free program open to all Boston Public School students. The Camp opens a world of possibilities to participants who will lay the foundation of self-confidence and future engagement in the spirited activity of debate.