Local environmental group gets funding boost

Something Good in the World is Recipient of Numerous Grants to Grow Community Environment Education Programs

Over $34,000 in support received from local and national foundations

Something Good in the World (SGITW) has received several grants from various local and national foundations to support its environmental education programs. SGITW is a grassroots environmental organization that teaches people how to live sustainably by connecting them with the natural environment. Foundation support enables SGITW to offer its programs to children of all socio-economic backgrounds and extend its unique hands-on, experiential learning to as many children as possible.

The following foundations have awarded grants to SGITW::

● Eileen Fisher Community Partnership -- $1,000

● The Alpern Family Foundation -- $12,500

● Impact100 Westchester -- named SGITW as the finalist in the Environmental category for its EnviraPod Environmental Education Center project and awarded a grant of $10,666.

● Captain Planet Foundation -- $2,500 grant awarded toward SGITW’s Children’s Peaceful Garden project.

● The Jack DeVito Foundation -- $1,500

● The Dannon Company - $1,000

● An anonymous family foundation donated $5,000

“We are so grateful for the generosity of all of these foundations who understand the crucial importance of teaching low income children about the origins of their food, how to make healthy choices, and live more sustainably. These programs are particularly impactful for youth-at-risk and children from urban schools, because the ripple effect into their families and communities is real and tangible”, said Barbara Sarbin, Program Director of SGITW.

In addition to its ongoing programs supported by these grants, SGITW has also recently begun providing environmental education services through a local residential shelter for children in the custody of the federal government’s Office of Refugee Resettlement. All of the youth originate from Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. As part of the program, SGITW provides hands-on educational programs hosted at Glynwood Farm.

“As President of Glynwood for almost two years, I have witnessed first-hand the work that Barbara is doing with the youth. Over the past four years, Something Good in the World has collaborated with Glynwood to provide free educational programs for inner city children. We have been delighted to host these farm-based workshops. Not only is it clear that SGITW has the expertise to see their vision through with excellence, the ability Barbara and her staff have to inspire, educate and motivate children around the importance of food and farming is deeply moving. I believe that the children being reached by these programs are transformed through this work, walking away with invaluable tools that will benefit them and their families for the rest of their lives,” commented Kathleen Frith, President, Glynwood Farm.

“One of the most basic tenets of our mission is that everyone benefits immensely from being connected to nature. Growing one’s own food, interacting with animals, spending time in the woods -- these are all experiences that can prove to be incredibly therapeutic. For the refugee children who have endured so much, this becomes particularly important. We’re honored to have the opportunity to work with such remarkable young people and grateful to the organization that operates the shelter and to Glynwood Farm for making these programs possible,” Sarbin added.

About Something Good in the World:

SGITW offers programs for children of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds, with a focus on environmental education. Place-based learning experiences are designed to develop a sense of care for the earth and the skills to live sustainably. SGITW celebrates nature as the ultimate “classroom” and welcomes all community members to become earth stewards. Learn more at www.somethinggoodintheworld.org.

Barbara Sarbin, Program Director of Something Good in the World, can be contacted at 914-217-9249 or somethinggooditw@aol.com.