SPRINGFIELD — For the fourth year in a row, the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership is granting money and providing wraparound support to afterschool and out-of-school-time programs in Springfield.
On June 12, Mayor Domenic Sarno and representatives from the SEZP gathered at the Springfield Jewish Community Center to announce the dispersal of $420,000 in funding from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to 16 programs across the city.
“These 16 programs will serve hundreds of Springfield youth over the coming months,” said Matt Brunell, the co-executive director for SEZP. “These grants are about so much more than dollars. They’re about expanding access to enriching, to joyful, and to high quality learning experiences for our kids when they’re not in school.”
Among the grant awardees this year are American International College, The Center After School Program, Hood Girl Collective, the Center After School Program and the SJCC.
According to Brunell, SEZP was one of only seven organizations across Massachusetts to receive funding for the out-of-school programming that students will experience this summer.
He said that over the last four years, SEZP has awarded more than $4.1 million in funding to 30 local organizations supporting summer programming.
“And in those four years, we have reached over 3,700 Springfield students,” Brunell said. “Today, we get to add to that story with 16 more programs joining the ranks of our awardees; programs that will lift up youth across the city of Springfield.”
In an interview with Reminder Publishing, SJCC Chief Development Officer Chile Salazar said the grant will allow SEZP students to have access to the community center’s amenities every Monday and Wednesday from June 30 until the beginning of August.
She shared that student athletes from AIC will spearhead the recreational activities at the center by offering skill building, strength training, team building games and positive mentorship.
“We believe this partnership reflects what is possible when organizations come together around a shared goal, creating opportunities, access and belonging for every student,” Salazar said of the partnership with SEZP and the state. “With our brand-new outdoor basketball and pickleball courts near completion, and with our gymnasium, our pool, and our game room right here, we’re ready to offer an amazing experience.”
Among those at the SJCC to announce the grants was Springfield Public Schools Superintendent Sonia Dinnall, who mentioned the importance of introducing students to “authentic, high-quality, even rigorous, but fun opportunities to [help them] learn and grow over the summer.”
She thanked Sarno and DESE for prioritizing a “year-round” version of education through their leadership.
“I know our parents are going to be really pleased that their students have this opportunity to be enriched and immersed in different cultures so they can learn and grow and experience the joy of summertime extended learning,” Dinnall said.
In his remarks, Mayor Domenic Sarno touched on the importance of youth development and how the $420,000 will help accentuate that theme.
“It’s important to keep our youth active in the summertime during the off months,” Sarno said. “[The] $420,000 going to 16 organizations … it’s going to help out Springfield kids of all creeds, colors and backgrounds.”
The SEZP is an independently governed nonprofit established in 2015 as a partnership among Springfield Public Schools, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Springfield Education Association.
According to its website, the organization seeks to improve the longitudinal life outcomes of nearly 5,000 students, in the 16 middle and high schools that it manages and operates.
The list of the 16 grant awardees includes:
- AIC
- The Center After School Program
- Elms College
- Follow My Steps
- Hood Girl Collective
- Hope for Youth and Families
- Jewish Family Services
- Rise, Leap and Achieve
- Mary Walsh Elementary School
- Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services
- Neighborhood Guidance
- Next Level Adventures
- New North Citizens Council
- Springfield Ballers
- Strong young Minds
- Springfield Jewish Community Center
