American Savings Foundation awards Greater Waterbury Youth Programs

July 02, 2024

Waterbury, Conn. – The American Savings Foundation Board of Directors recently awarded seven grants totaling $157,250 to local non-profits that provide positive youth development experiences for both after school and within the school day in the Greater Waterbury area.  

“These awards provide Waterbury youth with opportunities that will help them to learn, grow and thrive,” said Maria Sanchez, director of grantmaking and community investment at American Savings Foundation. “Many of these programs have received funding from the Foundation over several years, which underscores our commitment to making a lasting impact in ensuring the availability of these high quality after school programs in the community.”

Waterbury Symphony Orchestra received $15,000 for the BRAVO program. This unique music education and performing arts program offers students the opportunity to participate in high quality music education. Students receive group and one-on-one instruction in choir, instrumental lessons, instrument exploration, beginner orchestra ensemble, and band. The students demonstrated their growing talent at a winter performance in 2023, held at the Palace Theater.

Waterbury Youth Service received a $41,500 grant to support their well-established Linking Academics to Life program. In this work-based, experiential learning program, Waterbury high school students engage in four skill-building sessions: Studio Arts, Entrepreneurial, Journalism and Senior Prep. During each session, students participate in hands-on activities that build on real-world experiences with an emphasis on academic achievement and social and emotional development.

The American Savings Foundation also announced grants to the following youth programs:

• $45,000 Boys & Girls Club of Greater Waterbury to for their Teen Club Program, which helps teens develop self-esteem and confidence to help them make healthy choices
• $10,000 to Junior Achievement in Waterbury for their Economic Empowerment Program, which provides financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship programs classrooms to help bridge lessons with real-world business skills and experience.
• $12,250 for Palace Theater’s six-week after school workshop series, an interactive language arts, music and theater appreciation program facilitated by professional teaching artists and guest speakers.
• $21,000 to Shakesperience to bring their classroom-based theater arts and literacy program to Waterbury schools.
• $12,500 to The Connecticut Golf Foundation which introduces the game of golf to students during gym classes while also teaching team building skills.