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Date: 6/23/2022
ENFIELD, CT – The Educational Resources for Children Inc. (ERfC) was awarded a 2022 Cox Charities Community Grant of $10,000 for middle school students in Grades 6-8 which will be used to introduce them to the world of engineering using robot-building kits.
Students will work in teams to design, program, construct and test their robots using problem solving skills, creativity and their knowledge of technology. The program will give students hands-on experience in applying essential science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concepts to problems.
ERfC is a nonprofit organization that provides before and after school programs, summer camp, enrichment programs and community events throughout the year for students in Grades K-8.
“We are excited to have been selected as a 2022 Cox Charities Community Investment grant recipient,” said ERfC Executive Director Josue Irizarry. “The grant will give us an opportunity to provide STEM activities to pure middle school students during the summer and through the school year.”
ERfC was recognized during a ceremony attended by several community leaders including state Sen. John A. Kissel, Cox Government Affairs Manager Peter Talbot, Cox Senior Vice President and Region Manager Ross Nelson and state Rep. Carol Hall. Irizarry said thought he was having a meeting with one person, but to his surprise, numerous people were in attendance. The meeting was to announce that ERfC was selected as one of the grantees for this year, and there was a celebration for the group.
“The Cox Charities Community Grant program is excited to recognize another crop of deserving nonprofit institutions like Educational Resources for Children that have committed themselves to developing outstanding STEAM programming and driving deep community impacts,” said Ross Nelson, senior vice president and region manager of Cox Communications. “With the need for strong engagement among youth populations more important than ever, we can’t wait to see ERfC create lasting change in Enfield.”
The Cox Charities Community Grant Program is an application-based process open to nonprofit organizations providing STEAM learning opportunities to students throughout the Cox Northeast Service area. “We applied for the grant through the Cox website and it was an online process,” Irizarry said. “The grant is to provide middle school students with STEM activities. We submitted the grant and provided the program and the STEM supplies we would need to provide the program.” The applications is then reviewed by a group of community members, businesses and Cox leadership who evaluate the programs to ensure their giving is meeting the criteria and needs of the community.
Irizarry said receiving the grant is so important to ERfC because it gives the children an opportunity to start thinking about possible careers in the science, engineering, technology and math fields. Irizarry noted it’s important for middle school students to start at an early age to find what they’re passionate about.
Right now, ERfC is gearing up for their Summer Escape Camp programs which will provide a variety of STEM, weekly field trips, arts and crafts, recreational and educational activities for children during the summer. During the season, high school students have an opportunity to volunteer during their summer camp. The program gives high school volunteers an opportunity to gain some work experience with children. ERfC will also be doing their Summer Lunch Bunch program which provides free breakfast and lunch for seven weeks in the summer.
On Aug. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., they will be hosting their annual free backpack drive on the Enfield Town Green. Each year, they provide over 1,500 backpacks to children in Grades K-12.
“This year has been good for ERfC,” Irizarry replied. “We are working on providing new enrichment and sports programs during the year. ERfC continues to work with the Enfield community and local organizations to make a difference in the Enfield community.”
The ERfC administrative office is located at 174 South Rd., Suite 200. For more information about ERfC, call 860-253-9935, email info@erfc.us or visit their website at www.erfc.us.