Nearly $20K in mini-grants awarded for community-based initiatives through the Revere CARES Coalition

  Thirteen projects were selected to receive nearly $20,000 in grant funding through the Revere CARES Coalition. Funding has been awarded to projects that promote healthy eating and active living, substance use disorders prevention, mental health and well-being, engaging young people in positive activities, or creating community connections. The awardees were selected by a group of Revere residents and leaders who meet annually to choose the worthy projects.

  “There were many great project ideas submitted this year, and it is great to see how many people are committed to bringing new ideas to Revere. We feel fortunate to provide these funds to residents and organizations directly so they can implement projects that benefit the community,” said Revere CARES Coalition Program and Communications Manager Viviana Cataño.

  Projects funded this year include the following:

  Outdoor Classroom: awarded $2,000 to the Beachmont School Improvement Team to buy materials that will upgrade their courtyard space to an outdoor classroom. This space will promote social-emotional learning for both students and staff. It will also be used as a space to meditate, breathe in some fresh air, run restorative circles and host discussions on issues that arise throughout the school day.

  Ward 4 Family Picnic and Pollinator Event: awarded $600 to the Ward 4 members of the Covid Response Network, Wellness Team to host a community event in May. This free event will treat families to a bounce house, music and activities to learn small ways we can all support pollinators and create a healthy environment.

  An Evening of Dining & Entertainment in The Square: awarded $600 to the Beachmont Improvement Committee to conduct a placemaking event that will include dining and entertainment at Kimmerly Park in Beachmont Square. The event will include meals ordered from restaurants in the Beachmont Square area, local entertainment and activities for children.

  Boxing & Fitness for Female Students by Female Coaches: awarded $1,500 to coach April Feenly. April will be starting a Boxing/Fitness program taught by female instructors for 20 to 30 female Revere High School students. Boxing improves fitness, strengthens motor skills and provides self-defense knowledge.

  Healthy Cooking for Youth Zone Members: awarded $3,000 to Youth Zone (YZ). With this grant, YZ will provide a subscription to the ChopChop healthy cooking magazine to every student. YZ staff will cook the recipes with their members, helping them learn kitchen skills while exploring healthy eating and getting excited about making positive lifestyle changes. Members will bring the magazines home and share the knowledge with their families. Funding will also cover ingredients, customizable aprons and a $10 food store gift card for students to prepare healthy meals with their families.

  Coming to America Story Boards: awarded $2,680 to resident Kathleen Heiser. In this three-part project, at least 50 community members who are recent-to-fourth generation immigrants will be invited to create a “storyboard” depicting their immigration story. These storyboards will be laminated and displayed in the lobbies of all 11 Revere Public Schools and other community venues, along with a large world map marking countries represented. This project aims to display Revere’s cultural diversity and promote understanding.

  What We Eat Series: awarded $1,000 to For Kids Only to offer a new “We Are What We Eat” enrichment series for their members. This series focuses on educating Revere youngsters and families about how nutrition affects how we feel and helping them understand the connection between our daily choices and the relation to our emotions and mental well-being.

  School Counselors Office Improvements: awarded $1,254 to the Garfield Middle School Counselors. The Covid pandemic has profoundly impacted the Garfield Middle School students. This grant will allow the Garfield Middle School counseling staff to create a more therapeutic environment in their space.

  Great Body Shop Program: awarded $790 to the Wellness Instructor at the Rumney Marsh Academy to incorporate the Great Body Shop program into their instruction. This new curriculum covers many health education subjects, such as becoming a lifelong learner, body systems, fitness and nutrition, social/emotional health, safety and substance abuse.

  Revere Reads: awarded $2,000 to the Revere Public Library to support the first Revere Reads Family Literacy Day. The event, which is for children ages two to 14, will include crafts and guest story time readers. Families will be encouraged to sign up for library cards. Each child in attendance will receive a backpack with new books to take home (up to 200).

  Ward 6 Cleanup Events: awarded $600 to the Ward 6 members of the Covid Response Network Wellness Team to organize a series of cleanup events in the Ward 6 neighborhoods.

  Positive Youth Engagement: awarded $3,200 to the Revere Police Activities League to organize an activity that will promote positive youth/police relationships. The event at Revere High School will include a basketball game between police staff and youths, lectures and presentations, small break-out groups and pizza.

  Iftar Event: awarded $600 to the Beachmont Improvement Committee. This event for Beachmont families will include a traditional meal, an educational discussion on Ramadan and traditional music and dance presentations.

About the MGH Revere CARES Coalition

  The mission of the Revere CARES Coalition is to strengthen the health of Revere by addressing priorities established by community members, utilizing an environmental approach, advocating for evidence-based, culturally competent strategies, programs and services, increasing connectedness among individuals and organizations and supporting and empowering local youths. The Revere CARES Coalition is a program of the MGH Center for Community Health Improvement – https://www.massgeneral.org/community-health/cchi/programs/revere-cares.