Lawrence Township Organizations Awarded Funding to Bridge Summer Education Gap

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Three local nonprofit organizations recently received grants from Princeton Area Community Foundation. The funds were provided to a total of 21 organizations under PACF's Summer Initiative program.

These funds will support summer camps and programs designed to prevent learning loss and provide affordable childcare options for working families.

For the third consecutive year, the Community Foundation is backing these initiatives that blend academic instruction in reading and math with engaging activities including sports, swimming, arts and crafts, and field trips. Many programs also offer meals and transportation services.

Funding comes from the Community Foundation's Community Impact Grants Fund, which operates thanks to generous contributions from individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners like Johnson & Johnson.

This year's initiative received additional support from community philanthropists, with several longtime supporters making particularly significant donations.

"We have terrific nonprofits in our region whose staffs work tirelessly to ensure that children get academic support over the summer and working parents have childcare when school is out of session," said Mathieu Nelessen, Community Foundation President & CEO. "We're able to help fund these wonderful summer programs because of generous donors in our community, and we'd like to thank everyone who contributed to our grants program."

Here are the local organizations that received the grant:

• Every Child Valued, Lawrence, $23,440 for its Summer Enrichment Program for grades K-6 and its Teen Summer Series; The K-6 program is designed to mitigate summer learning loss with morning academic enrichment programs and afternoon activities, including arts and crafts, swimming and a Running Club. Teens participate in cooking classes, a college panel with ECV alumni and arts and crafts. Students in both programs go on field trips.
• HomeFront, Lawrence, $25,000, for Camp Mercer: Summer Programming for Families in Housing Crisis, an 8-week program that provides educational enrichment and fun activities for students and childcare for parents so they can work. Breakfast, lunch, transportation, counselors trained in trauma-informed practices, and support staff to connect families to other programs are provided.
• Prevention Education Inc. (PEI Kids), Lawrence, $11,971 for its Juvenile Intervention Services' Summer Initiative, designed to help students recognize risk factors, create links to protective assets, and develop skills to become successful. The program includes a community service component and team-building exercises.