Celtics award $750,000 to Square One to expand school-aged program

Square One Vice President of Development and Communication Kristine Allard, surrounded by Celtics cheerleaders and mascot Lucky the Leprechaun, accepts a grant award of $750,000.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo

SPRINGFIELD — The Boston Celtics recently surprised Square One, a Springfield-based early education and family support organization, with a check for $750,000, presented on the court at TD Garden.

“It’s quite an honor,” said Kristine Allard, vice president of development and communication for Square One, who was on hand when the grant announcement was made.

Since 1883, Square One has provided services to Springfield children. Begun as Springfield Day Nursery, Square One now offers early education and care at its centers, home-based care settings and programs for elementary school age children. It also provides the community with parent education, support and training programs.

“We’ve had a relationship with the Celtics for some time,” Allard said. The team has provided auction items for Square One fundraisiing events in the past. A few months ago, Square One was invited to submit a grant application to The Shamrock Foundation for the inaugural round of awards from its Fast Break Fund. The Fast Break Fund was created to provide direct funding for educational initiatives.

Eleven organizations were invited to apply for up to $750,000, Allard said. Square One applied for the full amount, and at the Celtics game on DATE, Square One was one of two primary organizations awarded grants. The other was Horizons for Homeless Children, which received $530,000. Another $670,000 will be distributed between the remaining nine organizations, bringing the Fast Break Fund grants to a total of $1.2 million.

“This wonderful gift will be transformative in the lives of our Square One children,” said Dawn DiStefano, president and CEO of Square One. “Specifically, the funds will be used to enhance the programs and services offered to our school-age children, providing them with greater opportunities for long-term success — academically, physically, socially and emotionally. We are humbled by and grateful for this amazing show of generosity.”

Allard explained that Square One has identified a growing need in the community for programs for school-aged children. Square One serves 600 children, 70 of whom are school-aged, between 5 and 12 years.

“There’s lots of attention to preschoolers and teens,” she said of Springfield’s community programs, but “less opportunity for school aged.” To address this, Allard said Square One is expanding the number of positions it has open for after-school and school vacation programs at its King Street and Sumner Avenue locations, bringing the organization’s total school-aged capacity to 100 children.

As part of that expansion, the organization’s cornerstone therapy program will be available to more school-aged children, with two mental health clinicians expected to be hired. The funding will also pay for new resources and technology in the school-aged classrooms.