Children’s Center receives grants to fund scholarships

NIANTIC – For well over a decade, the Niantic Community Church Children’s Center has received grant funding from the church’s Outreach Committee for scholarships, awarded to families in financial need. Every September parents are encouraged to apply for assistance. This year, $10,000 was allocated, with additional funding coming from new grants awarded over the summer.

In July and August, the NCC Children’s Center was awarded $1500 from the Pfizer Foundation and $1500 was awarded from Dime Bank, earmarked for scholarships, and safety and security upgrades. A $5,000 grant was awarded from the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut for scholarships. Individuals involved in the grant writing applications were Don Campbell, Candy Neilson, NCCCC board chair, Mary Brailey and center director, Kathy Tiller.

“The families are very appreciative,” said, Tiller, “It is a huge relief to them to know that they can afford a great education for their children through the help of these scholarships.”

Nearly a third of the Outreach Committees’s $35,000 budget for 2018 was allocated for the NCC Children’s Center scholarship program, yet few parents have applied.

“I think some people just don’t want others to know they need help,” speculates Mahon. “But it’s all confidential. Even the director doesn’t know who applies or who receives the scholarships. If families can use a little help, they should go through the process and apply.”

The application process is relatively quick with scholarships often awarded within a couple of weeks of applying. Each award is determined by need and is structured independently according to those needs. NCC Children’s Center is NAEYC accredited and accepts infants through pre-school age children. All are welcome to apply for scholarships.

For more information call (860)739-6208. Niantic Community Church is located at 170 Pennsylvania Ave., Niantic.