Around Town

People Working Against Hunger in Watertown Honored by Community Foundation

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The honorees at the Watertown Community Foundation’s Celebrate Impact Event. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Hunger is an issue faced by a growing number of Watertown residents. Recently, the Watertown Community Foundation put a spotlight on the work of several groups that have been trying to make sure everyone in town can feed their families and themselves. On Oct. 17, the Community Foundation hosted Celebrate Impact where they honored the people and groups who make up four pillars to feeding those in need in Watertown: food support, 24/7 access, food assistance, and food distribution.

Entertainment

Watertown’s Got Talent Returns, See How to Enter the Contest

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Performers took to the stage at Arsenal Yards for the Watertown Community Foundation’s Watertown’s Got Talent. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The Watertown Community Foundation will once again host Watertown’s Got Talent, and entrants can register now. Read more in the announcement from the WCF:

Who will be crowned Watertown’s Top Talent this year? We can’t wait to find out! Watertown’s Got Talent, hosted by Arsenal Yards to benefit the Watertown Community Foundation, is BACK for a third year!

Around Town

Celebrate the Heroes Behind Watertown’s Core Food Security Efforts

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Event:

On Thursday, October 17, the Watertown Community Foundation will host their annual fundraiser, Celebrate Impact, highlighting the continued urgency of food insecurity in our community and honoring the people behind Watertown’s core food security programs.

Honorees include the Steering Committee of the Watertown Community Fridge, Stephanie Venizelos of the Watertown Farmers’ Market; Kathy Cunningham and Carol Pennington, who each run one of Watertown’s food pantries; Olivia Fields, Kristen Monti, and Sarah Woods of the Watertown Housing Authority; and JD Donohue, owner of Donohue’s Bar and Grill. “Approximately 7,800 Watertown residents, or nearly 1 in 5 of our neighbors, need support to feed their families,” said Jen Nicholson, Watertown Community Foundation Board Member and Event Co-Chair. “Our honorees work and volunteer to put food directly into the hands of people who need it.”

“The Watertown Community Foundation works to connect Watertown residents to reliable sources of healthy food by supporting those local organizations whose mission makes this happen,” said Lauren Coughlin Unsworth, Watertown Community Foundation Board Co- President and Event Co-Chair. “We are delighted to celebrate the impact of our honorees and their organizations in making food available to people who need it.”

“When money can’t cover rent, medical care and food: hunger happens. The COVID pandemic highlighted the ongoing presence and urgency of hunger in the Watertown community.

Around Town

Watertown High School Students Learning on the Job at Local Non-Profits

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

Since 2015 the Watertown Community Foundation has made it possible for high school students in Watertown to gain valuable professional experience by funding summer internships. Nearly 70 high-schoolers have received stipends from the Watertown Community Foundation High School Internship Program since it began. This year, four students from Watertown High School will receive internship stipends from the Watertown Community Foundation to learn more about working in one of Watertown’s non-profits. Selected from a competitive field of applicants, we congratulate Evelyn Rodriguez, Kostas Jerome, Arthur Venturim, and Sherri Wu on being chosen to participate in this year’s Watertown Community Foundation High School Internship Program. These students will have internships at the City of Watertown’s Commander’s Mansion, the Watertown Free Public Library and Watertown Cable Access TV.

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Awards $110K in Grants to 19 Non-Profits

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

In the largest grant cycle of the year, the Watertown Community Foundation has provided financial support to non-profits and programs across the city, so all Watertown’s residents continue to thrive in a vibrant, welcoming community. The Foundation awarded a total of $110,000 to 19 non-profit organizations and the City of Watertown. Funds will support the ongoing work of many local non-profit organizations, as well as specific programs, that prioritize work to address the needs of vulnerable residents, support public arts and culture, invest in environmental sustainability, promote youth development, and foster a sense of welcome and belonging for all who live and work in Watertown. Forty percent of this year’s funding went to support organizations working to meet the needs of some of Watertown’s most vulnerable residents. “We know residents in Watertown are struggling and continue to need support for basic needs including housing, food, mental health, emergency assistance and learning English.

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Reduced Barriers to Playing Youth Sports

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

For the fourth year, the Watertown Community Foundation has provided financial support to Watertown’s youth sports leagues so any child can participate, regardless of ability to pay. With support from The Bilezikian Family Foundation, NESN, and Arsenal Yards, the Foundation awarded a total of $9,000. Grantees include Watertown’s Challenger Baseball Program, Youth Baseball and Softball Program, Youth Basketball Program, Youth Football and Cheer Program, and Youth Hockey. Summer registration is currently open for many of these programs.

For families in need, youth sports league registration fees can be an insurmountable barrier. In the 2024 season WCF’s youth sport grants will cover fees for up to 60 families with children who would like to play, enabling participation regardless of a family’s ability to pay.

Around Town

WATERTOWN WEEKEND FUN: Celebrate Bike Month, Historic House Talk, Volunteer Projects, Tamales & a Dance Performance

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This is a weekend for spring cleaning, so let’s get our hands dirty! You can bring your dusty bike out of the basement and get it ready to enjoy all the new bike lanes around or help to clean up our green spaces through Watertown Helps Out. If you’re a New England history buff, you will enjoy the Watertown Historical Society talk about restoring a 300 year-old home. Then head home and work on your own, glad that it’s only 100 years old or so. Hungry after all that work?

Around Town

A Variety of Volunteer Projects to Work on This May During Watertown Helps Out

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The following information came from the Watertown Community Foundation:

Would you like to give back to the community you love? The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF), along with local sponsors and dozens of neighbors, will be out in the community again during the Month of May 2024, volunteering to make Watertown a nicer place to live and work. 

If you would like to volunteer please take a peek at all of the opportunities available in the month of May. More volunteer opportunities are still to be added, so check back in from time to time. We’re looking forward to a fantastic community Month in Watertown! THURDAY, MAY 2

Senior Center: Garden Clean Up: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

SATURDAY, MAY 4

Whitney Hill Clean Up: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Cannalonga Park Clean Up: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Watertown Cable Access Digital Archive Project: 12-3 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8

Perkins School for the Blind Concert/Music Program Support: 8:45-11:40 a.m.

Saltonstall Community Path Clean-Up: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Perkins School for the Blind Concert/Music Program Support: 5-9 p.m.

FRIDAY, MAY 10

Metrowest Collaborative Garden Clean-Up: 12-4 p.m.

SATURDAY, MAY 11

Brigham House Gardening: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Community Gardens Invasive Plant and/or Trash Removal: 1-3 p.m.

See the complete list of volunteer opportunities and sign up online here.