American Savings Foundation Invests in After School Programs for Middle School Youth

July 09, 2026

New Britain, CT - The American Savings Foundation Board of Directors recently announced $400,000 in grants to support a cohort of five New Britain-based programs that provide fun, meaningful, and enriching after-school experiences both middle-school youth, plus two grants that provide complementary support for after-school programs.

Since its very first grants in 1995, the Foundation has made funding for after-school programs for middle-school age youth a priority of its grantmaking. Research shows that this age group can gain tremendous leadership, academic, and personal growth from high-quality after-school programs that incorporate best practice standards and provide experiences that are challenging, nurturing, and fun. Recognizing a critical gap in the availability of after-school programs for middle-school youth, the Foundation expanded this commitment and became the lead funder of after-school programs for this age group in New Britain. Together, the programs create after school opportunities for nearly 350 middle-school age youth. Each program has a unique design, providing youth and families with more options to choose the after-school experiences that fit them the best.

The Boys and Girls Club of New Britain ($70,000) operates the Getting Active After School program at their main facility on Washington Street. This program engages middle school students in enrichment activities that support physical, social, emotional, and intellectual well‑being in a safe, positive environment.

The City of New Britain Parks and Recreation ($150,000) offers the Exercise the Right Choice program at Pulaski, DiLoreto, and Slade Middle Schools. This comprehensive middle school program provides students with opportunities for leadership development, academic support, social-emotional learning, career exploration, and student-led activities, helping them build confidence, develop real-world skills, and strengthen their connection to the community.

OIC of New Britain ($75,000) operates the Moving Mountains Sullivan Academy at its location on North Street. Their research-based curriculum provides social-emotional learning, mental health support, leadership development, and teen pregnancy prevention programming.

The Pathways/Senderos Center ($25,000), located on Viets Street, provides a comprehensive youth development program which offers services to support youth facing barriers, including educational assistance, career readiness, financial literacy, health and wellness, sex education, and recreational activities.

YWCA of New Britain ($70,000) engages middle school girls through the STRIVE program at Slade and Pulaski Middle Schools. This program provides enrichment activities in literacy, STEM, and health and wellness while fostering confidence, social skills, and readiness for high school.

In addition, the Foundation awarded $10,000 to the Connecticut Network for Children and Youth to support their annual Lights on Afterschool statewide conference and workshop. Taking place in October, the event celebrates and elevates the field of after-school providers and the important role they play in mentoring children and supporting families and communities.

The Meriden–New Britain–Berlin YMCA received $5,000 to pilot a new youth safety training program for New Britain middle-schools. Taking place after-school, this training will teach middle-school youth babysitting, CPR, first aid, and safe childcare practices. The organization also received $5,000 for its STEM Academy, which offers hands-on, NASA‑themed programming and family STEM nights in New Britain middle schools.

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