$850K Grant Awarded To Ulbrich Boys & Girls Club In Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT — An $850,000 grant has been awarded to the Ulbrich Boys & Girls Club and Wallingford Public Schools by the Connecticut Department of Education to provide services to students at Cook Hill and Parker Farms elementary schools.

The grant is part of the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers program from the U.S. Department of Education, officials recently announced.

The Wallingford Nita M. Lowey 21st Community Learning Center is a partnership between Wallingford Public Schools, the Ulbrich Boys & Girls Club and other partners such as Goodwin University and more that will be announced later, according to a news release. The program will be run at the Ulbrich Boys & Girls Club, 72 Grand Street in Wallingford.

The $850,000 grant was awarded to the center to provide after school and summer camp academic and family enrichment services to Cook Hill and Parker Farms Elementary Schools for the next five years. The award is for $200,000 for years 1-3 and $150,000 for year 4 and $100,000 for year 5, according to officials.

“We could not be more excited about receiving the 21st Century Community Learning Center grant and grateful for our partnership with Wallingford Public Schools,” said Carlos Collazo, UBGC Executive Director and program director. “This grant could not have come at a better time especially with what children have gone through during the pandemic with learning loss. I am thrilled we can provide this opportunity for students and families to participate in the program for the years to come.”

There are four program goals, via the news release:

• Goal I: Support or increase student achievement and sense of competence in the areas of reading/communication, arts, mathematics, and science.
• Goal 2: Develop and maintain a quality program that includes a safe and supportive environment, positive interactions, and meaningful engagement.
• Goal 3: Enhance student’s college and career readiness and behaviors, including positive school behaviors, personal, and social skills, and commitment to learning.
• Goal 4: Family Engagement

“Wallingford Public Schools is extremely excited to work collaboratively with the Ulbrich Boys and Girls Club of Wallingford through the Century 21 Grant,” Wallingford Superintendent of Schools Danielle Bellizzi said. “We are fortunate to have the opportunity to provide local students free access to a comprehensive after school program. The goal of the program is for students to ultimately achieve state student standards in the core subjects including math, reading and science. Through the program students will receive academic support, engage in structured recreational activities, attend enrichment field trips, and participate in STEM activities run by Goodwin University.

“Additionally, their families will receive literacy training, nutritional sessions, counseling and guidance in raising awareness of mental health. Both academic and enrichment programs will be offered each day after school as well as during school vacations and the summer.”

Grant funds will pay for a full-time site director and youth development professionals to provide academic assistance after school, summer academic enrichment programming, supplemental materials and resources for 21st CCLC activities, and field trip opportunities, according to the release. The 21st CCLC operates after school Monday through Friday during the school year and for eight weeks during the summer.

“We will bring in outside programming to enhance student learning, provide continuing education for our program staff and provide resources for our parents and families, and expand program opportunities in future years,” said Brooke Grand, UBGC Director of Programs & Engagement.

Grant funds will also allow programs to offer enhanced academic achievement but will also be geared toward career readiness.

Don Crouch, UBGC Resource Development & Marketing Officer also wants to put “more focus on fundraising efforts and developing relationships with local leaders and businesses to gain their support for the program,” according to the release.

“Our community needs to know about the amazing opportunities we have and things our students will be doing at the Wallingford Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center,” Crouch said. “In order to continue the level of excellence we envision, we will need all the support we can get. It is our goal to create a program that can be fully self-sustaining should the grant become unavailable in the future.”