Medford Program Gets $100K Grant!

MEDFORD, MA – The Center for Citizenship and Social Responsibility is one of the Cummings Foundation’s "$100K for 100" program winners. That means a $100,000 grant will fund the program, which is important since the CCSR is not part of the school district budget.

The CCSR provides instructional resources, activities, coordination, and training to help develop people who are going to lift the community and world around them. It plans to use funding to promote innovative student-focused projects for the school district and the community and develop district events, activities, and curriculum. Learn more about the program here.

The CCSR began at Medford High with a grant from the Bloomberg Foundation in 2012. That $50,000 grant has supported the program for the past four years. (Subscribe to Medford Patch or like us on Facebook for more local news.)

"Bill and Joyce Cummings established the foundation as a commitment to the communities where Cumming properties are located," David Blumberg of the Cummings Foundation said. "Bill Cummings grew up on Salem Street, attended Tufts University and established his first business here in Medford. Bill’s mother taught him to always help others. Today, he and his wife do just that by assisting many local non profits whose priorities are education and social justice. The CCSR was a perfect match."

Mayor Stephanie Burke announced the funding at the Tech's new TV studio Monday. The grant will be presented Friday.

The Cummings Foundation awards $10 million each year through its $100K for 100 grant program.

“In light of all of the terrible national and worldwide tragedies, the CCSR strongly believes teaching young children and adolescents how to be empathetic and understand other cultures, races, religions, gender preferences and ethnicity are imperative to preventing tragedies and other forms of intolerance," said CCSR Director Richard Trotta. "The CSSR values and nurtures empathy because we understand that if we teach children at a very young age how to help and support each other, our world will undoubtedly be a better place to live. We are so appreciative that the Cummings Foundation felt CCSR was an important component in the education process and will allow us to continue our mission."

"The CCSR has been effective because it is a student and teacher based program," said Superintendent Roy Belson. "We believe that creating authentic projects which engage the students and teachers results in creating experiences that can have a positive effect and help make the world a better place. We are very thankful to the Cummings Foundation."