Destiny 2023 Q4 25th Anniversary Edition

National Grid Foundation Celebrates 25 Years of Giving!

The Twenty Fifth Destiny Edition DESTINY XXV Q4 2023

National Grid Foundation

Twenty Five Years Serving Our Communities

N AT I O N A L G R I D F O U N D AT I O N — D E S T I N Y X X V Q 4 2 0 2 3  Editor/Christine Berardi  Contributor/Deborah Drew  Creative Director/Pamela Focá  Executive Director/Edward H. White Jr. Destiny is a quarterly publication created to share and promote the accomplishments of the organizations and programs National Grid Foundation supports.

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National Grid Foundation

“Giving is not just about making a donation.

It is about making a difference.”

– Kathy Calvin,

former President and CEO, United Nations Foundation

National Grid Foundation Celebrates 25 Years of Giving!

By Christine Berardi

On December 11, 2023, National Grid Foundation celebrates 25 years of giving and making a difference in the lives of its neighbors. No matter how it’s counted, 25 years or 300 months or 1,303 weeks or 9,132 days – the Foundation has been the part of fabric of the communities it serves.

It has gifted nearly $38 million dollars assisting its partner organizations which in turn help tens of thousands of people and revitalize hundreds of communities.

Working with community nonprofits that provide meaningful and impactful programs to the underserved and underrepresented is important to the Foundation.

What also is essential is to connect organizations with each other whenever possible.

Success is born from working with each other; and one group may have the solution that another is looking for.

The focus has never changed throughout the years: to be a source of strength and support while providing the financial aid needed. It is our hope today’s good work will create a better tomorrow; we also desire a day that charity will become unnecessary. Until then, National Grid Foundation continues its philanthropic work for years to come. ❧

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Photo: On Point On Point for College students gather during summer orientation.

Students Get Ready for College Thanks to On Point for College

By Christine Berardi

On Point for College’s Summer Orientation Program helps students get ready for college life and for life after college. Students from Syracuse and Utica in Upstate New York receive assistance through On Point’s three pillars of programming: College Access, College Success and Career Services.

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For a decade, National Grid Foundation has been side-by side with On Point providing support for the Orientation program which is part of the College Access pillar. Having the access and resources to attend college is the first step to success throughout students’ college careers and for work life afterward.

National Grid Foundation

“Thank you National Grid Foundation for being a part of the On Point for College team.”

— Samuel Rowser

On Point student attending classes at Bryant & Stratton College

The program helps students address all non-academic challenges that can become barriers to attending and succeeding in college. Services include outreach activities both in person and virtual to inform youth that college is possible; campus tours for prospective students; provision of pre-college orientations and basic college supplies for a successful start to college; on-campus and virtual visits by staff throughout the semester.

This year, On Point conducted 30 orientation sessions with 285 students. Most students are of color from various underserved communities of immigrants, refugees and low-income families. “The process of entering On Point for College’s Summer Orientation is the first step a student will take in becoming an independent adult who can

navigate their college career,” said Samuel Rowser, Executive Director, On Point for College in their final report to the Foundation.

Eunice Silong, an On Point student who is attending classes at Bryant & Stratton College in Syracuse, said of On Point, “I’m so excited and so grateful. On Point saved my life. Please pass my gratitude on to the entire team.”

Samuel Rowser concluded, “Thank you National Grid Foundation for being a part of the On Point for College team.”

This is why National Grid Foundation does what it does. The Foundation gives that extra boost of support that someone needs to let them flourish. ❧

T his is why National Grid Foundation does what it does.

The Foundation gives that extra boost of support that someone needs to let them flourish.

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National Grid Foundation

TechKids Unlimited Makes Learning Accessible to Neurodiverse Students

By Christine Berardi

Neurodiverse students have a friend in TechKids Unlimited.

A National Grid Foundation partner organization for two years, TechKids empowers neurodiverse youth become productive and learn transferable skills for meaningful employment through career-ready programs.

Students attended a variety of summer workshops ranging from computer skills to social-emotional learning classes. Programming also included weeklong tech knowledge workshops, a three-week cybersecurity class, career-readiness programs with an afterschool creative agency, an intense tech skills workshop and an internship program. During these sessions, students participated in immersive learning experiences, both online and in person.

Photo: TechKids Coding Class at TechKids P A G E 6Friday Showcase

One student of the free Cybersecurity program said, “I loved this and always wanted to get into coding, but never had the opportunity to.” Students not only acquired technical skills but also honed their ability to navigate challenges, build confidence, and advocate for themselves. While another said, “I learned how to code and make friends.”

Another student's experience in the Cybersecurity class exemplifies the impact of instructor support. Initially nervous due to unfamiliarity with the topic, the student found confidence and engagement through the guidance of TechKids’ counselors, ultimately enhancing understanding of the subject matter.

National Grid Foundation

These achievements are made possible within the supportive learning environment. TechKids instructors observed students stepping out of their comfort zones, actively participating in discussions, and sharing their work, highlighting the inclusive and encouraging atmosphere.

This year, TechKids expanded its Career-Ladder programs.

Courses offered include The TKU Digital Agency, Master Tech Course in Video Editing, and the Career Readiness Internship Summer Program (CRISP). CRISP placed 20 interns in various worksites for six weeks. They participated in career development activities at TechKids and engaged in diverse roles within

workplaces. Supported by TKU’s social workers, interns thrived in their positions, contributing to projects such as video creation, website updates, social media content development, and 3D-printable object design.

"TechKids Unlimited is deeply grateful for the support of our incredible partner National Grid Foundation. Through their support, we can empower neurodiverse students with career-readiness skills. Together, we’re shaping a future where workplaces are inclusive and empower everyone to thrive,” said TechKids Executive Director Beth Rosenberg. ❧

Photo: TechKids Above: Student learning the technicalities of gaming programming.

Below: Career Readiness Internship Summer Program (CRISP) students

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Swim Sail Science — For more than six years, the National Grid Foundation has been helping local Boston area students sail into science through its support of Courageous Sailing. Courageous Sailing transforms lives of students through educational and sailing programs that inspire learning,

Students from the Russell Elementary School in Dorchester enjoy their first time on a sailboat at Courageous.

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During the school year, approximately 220 upper elementary students participate in weekly STEM lessons with Courageous educators. Teachers and students love the hands-on, collaborative approach to lessons covering everything from marine biology, ecosystems, and physical ocean and earth science to engineering and physics. Here, students challenge themselves to support a stable structure…which ends up looking a lot like the mast of a sailboat.

— Courageous Sailing personal growth, and leadership. Its programs strengthen language arts and math skills, increases learning engagement, promotes environmental stewardship, and builds confidence in sailing and swimming, all while developing key life skills necessary for success on the water, in the classroom, and in life.

In the Swim Sail Science, approximately 90 BPS students—primarily young people vulnerable to summer learning loss, academically impacted by the learning interruptions of the pandemic, and/or from low-income households—spend their summer learning how to sail, building swimming skills, engaging in academics, and exploring the Boston Harbor and Jamaica Pond ecosystems.

The multidisciplinary academic curriculum—developed by Courageous and taught by Boston Public School teachers—is designed to be engaging and relevant to young people’s lived experiences. This year, the English Language Arts, math, and science curriculum is centered around the broad theme of water, with a strong environmental justice and advocacy focus. Students build and test water filtration systems, calculate how much water their family uses each day, and practice area and perimeter skills by re-designing the Courageous pier to better suit the needs of the program.

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National Grid Foundation

Trading Violence and Poverty for Success

By Deborah Drew

Photo Above: © UTEC

UTEC's Woodworking Social Enterprise is where craftsmanship meets community empowerment.

Our dedicated woodworking staff work alongside Young Adults to deliver handcrafted products while creating brighter futures for those involved.

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hat if justice-involved young adults become productively engaged in education and workforce development activities and supports during the critical ages of 17-25, then by 25, they acquire the skills and resilience to maintain stable employment and avoid further criminal activity? What if targeting and serving those impacted young adults (through the age of 25) who are most likely to recidivate, and cause harm in our communities, translates into a significant return on investment from a public health, public safety, and economic development perspective?

That’s the UTEC hypothesis. Its mission: Ignite and nurture the ambition of our most disconnected young people from trade violence and poverty to social and economic success.

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National Grid Foundation

Photo: © UTEC

UTEC's Community Organizing Crew hosted city council forums for the 2023 candidates running in Haverhill, Lawrence, and Lowell. Their handson work helps them learn grassroots organizing skills to help address the problems and inequities in their communities.

Photo: © UTEC

UTEC partners with 29 cities and towns in Massachusetts to provide mattress recycling services. The Young Adults employed in this Social Enterprise recycle 85% of each mattress while building professional and socio-emotional skills.

A nationally-recognized model agency serving justice-involved young adults, UTEC offers a workforce development program in Lowell, Lawrence, and Haverhill, MA, which National Grid Foundation supports. Its integrated model draws on best practices in education, mentoring, transitional employment, and youth development. Under the program, UTEC

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Photo: © UTEC

The Young Adults in UTEC's Culinary Social Enterprise gain valuable skills in areas like food preparation, meal presentation and packaging. Their work supports Madd Love Meals, which provides meals to those experiencing food insecurity in our community.

Photo: © UTEC

A cause for celebration!

Education is a key piece of UTEC's programming. Our on-site educators work with Young Adults on HiSET preparation, individual tutoring, and academic support.

“The National Grid Foundation's support is truly an investment in the communities we serve. It allows us to offer the Young Adults in our program paid work experience in a variety of Social Enterprises. They gain valuable professional and social-emotional skills while providing valuable services to their communities. Thank you for your ongoing partnership!”

provides classroom-based education for young adults to work toward their educational goals, as well as an internal pathway for job experience that starts with skills training – classroom skills and vocational skills – and is project-based as much as possible. It encourages student engagement and emphasizes the connection of these educational principles to realworld learning through programs such as its Mattress Recycling social enterprise; Woodworking; Food Services and Event

Rentals, all delivering experiential training, and career opportunities.

With Foundation funding, UTEC continues to help instill motivation, build selfconfidence, and nurture feelings of selfefficacy, including abstaining from criminal activity, attaining career certifications and passing educational High School credentials for approximately 700 youth. ❧

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National Grid Foundation

A Match Made in Summer Camp Heaven

By Christine Berardi

Fiver Children’s Foundation and Far Rockaway Giants Create Unique Event Sleep-away summer camp inspires children to have fun, learn, grow, and discover life beyond home. Fiver Children’s Foundation, located in upstate Poolville, NY, combines traditional activities along with environmental education lessons. It gives children 8-18 from Central NY and New York City an extraordinary twoto-four-week summer camp experience of a lifetime.

That was true for twin brothers Andre and Jonathan Jean-Pierre who are now paying it forward so boys from Far Rockaway, NY have the same amazing experience they had more than 15 years ago. Now, Andre is a Police Officer in Far Rockaway, NY and Jonathan works at Google and is on the Fiver Board of Directors.

As children, they had no idea how the years of environmental learning and summer camp pleasures would help shape their lives once they graduated from the Fiver Program in 2011. The brothers are instrumental in bringing Camp Fiver to the boys Officer Jean-Pierre works with in the Far Rockaway – Harlem Giants Mentoring program, a joint program with the NYC Police Foundation and the Department of Education.

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a successful competitive NYPD-organized flag-football program and the opportunity to foster a better relationship between the community and the police.

This year, 255 youngsters participated in Camp Fiver’s Environmental Education Program where 52 teenagers hiked and camped through the Catskills Mountains. After the traditional camp season ended, Fiver welcomed the Far Rockaway – Harlem Giants to the campgrounds in August.

According to Officer Jean-Pierre, the camp benefited their students and gave them the opportunity to attend the four-day sleep-away camp with their police mentors. This was the children’s first sleep-away camp.

Over 40 children attended along with seven police officer mentors. “Parents felt if the cops were not the child camp counselor, they probably wouldn’t allow their child to attend the camp. This shows the trust between the families and the police. It was a huge factor on how comfortable the parents felt about the trip,” said Officer Jean-Pierre.

He continued, “This was a great experience because the Camp Fiver camping trip greatly enhanced our bond.”

Lt. Moody explained, "I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand how the Fiver team instilled

Photo: De’Andre Henderson

in our boys the values of teamwork, community, leadership, and confidence. These are traits they will carry with them throughout their lives and will shape their futures in powerful ways."

Camp Fiver youth participated in core camp elements including courses in public speaking, health, literacy, environmental education, and college access. With National Grid Foundation's support Fiver youth explored their relationship to nature, how their actions impact the environment and learned about gardening, nutrition, composting, and leave-no-trace camping ethics.

Far Rockaway youth enjoyed traditional Camp Fiver activities including the Fiver Carnival, creek walks, lake and pool time, boating and fishing, group games, tennis and weaving.

Students were proud of their program experience. Jayce H. said, "I was proud when I caught crayfish with my friend because I have never gotten a chance to catch any type of fish."

the class, they grew to love weaving. Preston R. wove a lot in a very short time. At the end of class, he asked the weaving instructor to support him in honing his craft. Preston took supplies home so that he could continue learning to weave throughout the summer.

"When we formed this new partnership with Lt. Moody and the NYPD's Community Affairs Department, we quickly realized that National Grid Foundation was a supporter of both programs. I immediately contacted the Foundation to share the news of this exciting collaboration.

They were thrilled to hear that two grantees were coming together to provide this unique camp experience to even more kids. The Foundation mobilized additional resources to support this initiative. We are honored to partner with such responsive and intentional funders like National Grid Foundation!" Christie Ko, Executive Director. ❧

Many participants tried weaving for the first time. While many children were skeptical about

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“The potential for greatness lives within each of us.”

– Wilma Rudolph

Photo of Star background by: Andy Holmes Unsplashed