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Springfield Day Nursery

5 & Under Initiative Awards

In July, 2009 The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts awarded $570,000 in grant awards to 11 nonprofit organizations to fund 12 projects that address the root causes of the poverty of children age five and younger and their families in the Pioneer Valley. Nine of the projects are in their fourth year; two arte in their second year and there is one new project in Westfield

The Distribution Committee agreed to fund the eleven renewal projects after an in-depth review that that concluded that they are providing the services that they planned and that they are meeting or exceeding most of their expected outcomes and goals.

The awards were made for high impact educational programs that enable impoverished families with children five years of age and younger to improve their lives through collaborative, dynamic interventions.

The awards in 2009 represent 82% of the total dollar amount requested. The projects are designed to serve the residents in the counties noted.

The Community Foundation is in its fourth year of funding for this special initiative, designed to enable impoverished families with children five years of age and younger to improve their lives through educational programs.

The projects seek to provide opportunities to improve the economic prospects for children ages five and younger in one or more of three basic ways: 1) by impacting the skills and education of their parents and teachers; 2) creating supports for effective parenting; 3) enhancing the educational attainment of the children by focusing on their cognitive and socio/emotional skills. Eleven projects were awarded $620,400 in 2006; nine projects were awarded $482,300 for 2007; eleven projects -- including two new ones in Hampshire County -- were awarded $547,800 in 2008; and eleven organizations for twelve distinct projects -- including a new one in Westfield -- were awarded $570,000 in 2009, for a combined total of $2,230,400. Projects are in their fourth year of operation except as noted.

Awards detail coming soon.