Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Awards Health Grants

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) is pleased to announce the grantees of this year’s Healthy Watertown Grants. The Healthy Watertown Grant Program provides financial support to organizations that work to create new or existing programs to keep our community healthy.   As the result of an anonymous gift, WCF is pleased to announce the total amount awarded this year has grown from $10,000 to $15,000. “In the past few years, we have seen an increase in basic needs, especially around food security. This year the trend continues. Of the grants awarded, most are food related.”

Arsenal Yards

See the Performers, Judges for Watertown’s Got Talent

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

It’s time to see who is crowned Watertown’s Top Talent! Announcing a BRAND NEW Talent Show this October during Arsenal Yards’ Fall Falladays in partnership with the Watertown Community Foundation: Watertown’s Got Talent! Join us for a fun-filled evening of talent, entertainment & more! Featuring guest MC, Dan McCarthy, plus a panel of Watertown local judges. Guests are encouraged to bring takeout from any Arsenal Yards restaurant and enjoy it during the event, plus beer & wine will be available for purchase for those who are 21+.

Around Town

Healthy Watertown Grants Available from Community Foundation

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The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) announced the release of the Fall 2022 Healthy Watertown Grants to support organizations that work to create new or existing programs to keep our community healthy. A total of $10,000 will be distributed through these health grants. Past Healthy Grant awardees have included: Local food pantries; nutrition and meal programs for school age children and seniors; programs and services fostering healthy aging; mental health first aid training for first responders; programs designed to combat the opioid crisis and provide services and supports for individuals and families struggling with substance use disorders; and health-related programs for infants and their families. Eligible organizations may apply for a maximum of $2,500. The average amount awarded will range from $500 to $2,500.

Entertainment

Performers Wanted This Fall for Watertown’s Got Talent

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Arsenal Yards and the Watertown Community Foundation want to find Watertown’s top talent. Performers can try out to be part of Watertown’s Got Talent, which will take place on at Arsenal Yards’ Fall Falladays on Wednesday, Oct. 26 5:30-7:30 p.m.

If you think you have what it takes to be crowned Watertown’s Top Talent apply by Wednesday, Oct. 5. A preliminary panel of judges will review the applications and select those who will compete on Oct.

Around Town

Watertown Race Reels Hosting Monthly Documentary Film Series

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Watertown Race Reels, funded by a grant from the Watertown Community Foundation, is a monthly documentary film series open to the public. Race Reels uses documentary films to start conversations about race/ethnicity and work towards creating a community that is comfortable talking about race/ethnicity in a constructive manner. In addition to using documentary films, we invite guest speakers to come to speak on their own experience as members of the race/ethnicity being highlighted that month.We are thrilled to kick off our second year of Watertown Race Reels! On September 12th, in collaboration with Watertown Faces Climate Change (WFCC) and 350.mass, we will be screening Come Hell or High Water: The Battle for Turkey Creek at the Watertown Boys & Girls Club (pizza @ 5:45 p.m., film @ 6 p.m.). 

“Come Hell or High Water follows the painful but inspiring journey of Derrick Evans, a Boston teacher who returns to his native coastal Mississippi when the graves of his ancestors are bulldozed to make way for the sprawling city of Gulfport. Derrick is consumed by the effort to protect the community his great grandfather’s grandfather settled as a former slave. He is on the verge of a breakthrough when Hurricane Katrina strikes the Gulf Coast.

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Awards $127K in Spring Grants

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The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) has awarded grants totaling $127,000 to initiatives in two categories.  

One: WCF’s Program Grants are award grants designed to help organizations that serve Watertown develop new or continue existing programs with an educational focus (broadly defined). These are programs that operate outside of the Watertown’s public schools. 

Two: WCF’s Institutional Grants are designed to help institutions central to the Watertown community by providing funds to maintain critical programming and retain paid staff.  Grants under this program impose neither restrictions on the use of funds nor any program requirements.   

Eligible organizations apply for a maximum of $5000 for program grants and a maximum of $7500 for Institutional grants.  The grants are funded by the Foundation’s Watertown Arsenal Education Fund. WCF Grants Chairwoman Mary Ann Mulligan explains, ” WCF continues to receive record numbers of applications and this year was no exception.  The depth and breadth of our community-based organizations is remarkable. We are happy to have the resources to support the diversity and creativity of these initiatives.”

WCF grantees agree.

Around Town

Paid Summer Internships Available for High Schoolers

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The Watertown Community Foundation sent out the following information:

About High School Internship Program

Eligibility 

Since 2015, WCF  has offered stipends to high school students living in Watertown, attending any school, to do a summer internship for at least 20 hours of voluntary work per week for at least six weeks.  Students gain valuable professional experience, learn more about an area of interest, all while earning an income.  Applications are due in the spring, and all students can contact Adrienne Eaton at Watertown High School to learn more.  

Stipend Amount 

Students gain valuable professional experience, learn more about an area of interest, all while being paid a $1,000 stipend.    

Internship Types 

Grant recipients have been interns in summer education programs, doctor’s offices, veterinary clinics, theater programs, a makerspace, and non-profit organizations working to alleviate poverty among others. Students are encouraged to talk with their high school guidance counselor to learn more. Submission Instructions 

Students (regardless of where they attend high school) should email Watertown High School guidance councilor Adrienne Eaton adrienne.eaton@watertown.k12.ma.us

Timeline 

Applications being accepted now for summer internships. See contact information above to receive information about application process. Questions? Email info@watertownfoundation.org 

Around Town

Watertown Helps Out Returns Bigger and Better in 2022

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Watertown’s day of community service has turned into a month of volunteering. After a two year hiatus, Watertown Community Foundation is bringing back Watertown Helps Out in May, and WHO22 will have multiple opportunities during the month to lend a hand to local organizations around the city. Watertown Helps Out started in 2014 as a way for Watertown community members to help support their neighbors after Watertown was touched by the marathon bombings, it has now become a mainstay and beloved springtime event. 

In 2022, WCF decided to expand to a month for a few different reasons, said Executive Director Jan Singer. “Having had to forgo WHO in 2020 and 2021, we wanted to give back in a bigger and better way,” Singer said. “Watertown Helps Out, an annual day of community service and volunteering on the first Saturday in May, has been a mainstay of WCF since 2014.