Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Awards $729K in Grants to Help Residents Meet Basic Needs

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) has awarded $729,229 to three local non-profits serving low-income populations in Watertown to meet ongoing basic needs in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to funding from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED) Community Foundations Grant Program for COVID-19 Relief and the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Community Block Grant Program, these grants are providing Watertown families rental assistance, paying for utilities, transportation, and technology needs, and supporting food assistance. WCF has partnered with EOHED and DHCD since 2020 to direct $1.6 million in state funds to local non-profits supporting families most effected by the pandemic and who continue to struggle as a result. Of this, WCF has distributed $505,381 for rental assistance and $916,952 for food assistance. “Because of the urgency of putting these funds to work as quickly as possible during the COVID- 19 crisis, Massachusetts chose to partner with the state’s 14 community foundations which knew where need was most urgent and distribute these funds immediately to organizations responding on the front lines. Without the Watertown Community Foundation, Watertown wouldn’t have received these vital funds to support our most vulnerable populations,” said Lauren Coughlin Unsworth, co-president of the Watertown Community Foundation.

Around Town

Community Foundation Hosting Food Drives to Help Watertown’s Food Pantries

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

Our Watertown food pantries need your donations! On May 13 and May 20 Watertown’s food pantries are collecting nonperishable food items such as pasta, beans, tea/coffee, and canned goods to replenish stocks for those in need. The Watertown Community Fridge welcomes donations daily at the Belmont Watertown United Methodist Church, 80 Mt. Auburn St. Check out WATERTOWN HELPS OUT volunteer opportunities in May.

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation to Award $130,000 for 2023 Spring Grant Cycle

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) will open the 2023 application process for Institutional and Program grants starting April 3. These grants support local non-profits, community-based organizations, programs, and projects that serve Watertown. Approximately $130,000 in grants will be awarded. WCF’s Program Grants will support new or existing programs with an educational focus (broadly defined) that are run by local organizations that serve Watertown and are not offered through Watertown’s public or private schools. Eligible organizations may apply for grants of $500 up to $5,000. WCF’s Institutional Support Grants will support non-profit institutions central to the Watertown community by providing funds to support the organizational mission, staffing and operating costs.

Around Town

Community Foundations Awards $12,000 in Watertown Youth Sports Grants

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

For the third year, the Watertown Community Foundation has provided financial support to Watertown’s youth sports leagues so any child can play a league sport, regardless of ability to pay. With support from The Bilezikian Family Foundation, NESN, and Arsenal Yards, more leagues applied for and received funding to help more kids. This year’s awards total $12,000, a record for the program. Grantees include Watertown Youth Basketball, Watertown/Belmont Football and Cheerleading League, Watertown Youth Hockey, Watertown Youth Baseball and Softball, and The Challenger Division of Little League, a program for developmentally and physically challenged youth (age 8-21). WCF aims to serve Watertown youth from kindergarten through high school, their families, and the volunteer coaches who run the leagues.

Schools

Record Amount of Grants for Watertown Schools from Life Science Companies

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) in collaboration with Life Sciences Cares and five Watertown-based life science companies has awarded record setting $45,000 in grants for Watertown Public Schools. Now in its second year, the STEM Fund, continues to build on Watertown Community Foundation’s annual school-based educational grants program to support instruction and learning in and beyond the classroom. Support from five corporate contributors — C4 Therapeutics, Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Kymera Therapeutics, Landmark Bio and Vigil Neuroscience, Inc. — and Life Science Cares, increased the foundation’s capacity to provide greater financial support for science, technology, engineering, and math programming. “With this support, our students are extending what they learn in the classroom by engaging in real science facilitated by experts from the greater Watertown community.  We can bring hands-on programs that spark their curiosity, and the students are excited to find out more.” said Elizabeth Kaplan, Math/Science Coordinator for grades K-7, Watertown Public Schools. This collective giving program also allows companies, leaders, and employees in the burgeoning Watertown life sciences field to learn about Watertown Public Schools and forge deeper relationships with the school STEM community.

Around Town

Youth Sports Grants Available From Watertown Community Foundation

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The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) announces the 2023 application process is now open for Youth Sports Leagues Grants. These grants provide funding to eligible organizations to offer scholarship support to Watertown youth from kindergarten to high school. Examples of programs eligible for Youth Sports Leagues Grants include:

• Baseball/Softball• Football/Cheerleading• Soccer• Basketball• Lacrosse• Hockey

WCF Youth Sports Leagues Grants will help pay for sports registration fees or equipment for student athletes who otherwise cannot afford to play. “Many children cannot participate in organized sports due to the cost and some of the volunteer youth league coaches assume the added burden of paying player’s fees themselves.” said Mary Ann Mulligan, WCF Board Co-President. The goal is to help reduce financial barriers and allow more Watertown youth to participate in team sports.

Entertainment

Watertown Families Invited to Get Photos with Santa, Enjoy the Season

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sChurch of the Good Shepherd. The following information was provided by Watertown Families Together:

Watertown Families Together and Church of the Good Shepherd invites the public to Share the JOY of the Season. Photos with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 10, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.:

Outside from 10:30 to 11:00 (for those who have worries about viruses)

THEN

Santa will move inside from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Church of the Good Shepherd (corner of Russell Avenue and Mt. Auburn Street – Watertown)

Children can pick up easy keepsake craft kits (complete with supplies and directions) to make gifts for those they love during the holiday season.