Foundation Doles Out Significant Funding For Hartford-Area Summer Programs

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

HARTFORD, CT — Although summer vacation is an exciting time for school-aged children, it can present an array of challenges for caregivers and working parents.

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving aims to help Hartford families and caregivers during the summer, and it is providing $782,283 to support 32 summer programs in Greater Hartford.

"The summer months often weigh heavily on the minds of Hartford families because of the difficulty in finding reliable and affordable childcare that provides well-rounded enrichment," wrote the foundation in a release.

"For caregivers who tend to people with disabilities, finding a capable facility that offers quality care can feel unachievable."

The grants will support more than 6,250 Hartford youth, including 350 youth and adults with disabilities, who reside throughout our 29-town region.

As an example, Hartford’s Proud, Drill, Drum, and Dance Corp. is one of this year’s grantees.

The nonprofit uses sound, movement, and artistry to develop academic, social, and positive behavior among youth ages 5-24.

The foundation awarded a $10,000 grant to allow the organization to engage 30 Hartford youth ages 3 to 18 to participate in activities that seek to foster empowerment through the arts.

The grant will also fund costumes and supplies, studio rental fees, workshops, travel expenses, and more, providing some financial relief to program participants.

“In 10 years, I envision Hartford’s Proud as a thriving, influential force both within our community and in the broader performing arts world,” said Hartford’s Proud founder Terry Starks. “Our goal is for every participant to leave Hartford’s Proud not only with artistic skills but also with values that shape them into engaged, compassionate adults.”

This year’s summer program grants will support free or reduced-cost opportunities for nearly 3,400 Hartford youth and Greater Hartford youth and adults with disabilities to attend summer camp and provide nearly 2,900 youth with access to summer enrichment programs.

“This year’s summer program grants showcase and highlight the vast number of programs that are supporting our Hartford youth, and youth and adults with disabilities,” said Alexis Safo-Agyeman, a community impact officer at the Hartford Foundation.

“From grassroots programs making waves in their neighborhoods, to camps that support individuals from our 29 towns, we know that with each program comes support for working families, work experience for students, and opportunities for kids to engage in learning and fun all summer long.”

For more information on the program and other groups benefiting, click on this link.