San Mateo County has set aside $3.2 million in grants to send more than 2,500 local students to enrichment programs this summer, officials announced on Wednesday, April 6.
"This is a huge victory for a group that after two years of COVID really needs a win: students from families with low incomes," Board of Supervisors President Don Horsley said. "These grants will provide urgently needed opportunities for students whose families were typically hit the hardest financially during the pandemic."
The $3,217,500 in new grants comes from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, a stimulus package to help state and local governments overcome issues caused by the pandemic.
In all, the county is funding 42 providers that operate 72 programs, including programs in East Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Atherton.
The funds will let the Ravenswood City School District and Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula serve 240 more East Palo Alto and Menlo Park students in kindergarten through eighth grade at its free, full-day, four-week summer enrichment program.
Ann Waterman Roy, the Ravenswood district's strategic pandemic recovery consultant, said in addition to summer enrichment, the district will be able to provide counseling and mental health supports during the summer, "which is so important for students who have gone through two years of pandemic-related challenges and trauma."
A full list of grant recipients is available on the county's website.
The $3.2 million in grants is among the $10 million package that also includes funds toward economic recovery, housing and other services.
Comments
Registered user
Old Palo Alto
on Apr 12, 2022 at 3:09 pm
Registered user
on Apr 12, 2022 at 3:09 pm
Palo Alto is not listed as a recipient of such grant dollars. The city would do wonders in offsetting lower income families, elderly, teens and children suffering under an oppressive weight in outrageous rent hikes, inflation, rise in crime AND provide for those with less. How? This summer raise the 50% low income scholarship threshold to 80 — 100% outdoor, recreation, music and art programming to our most vulnerable residents. And raise the minimum wage for recreation coaches, art and music teachers who these programs struggle and scramble to hire and retain for the embarrassing low worth wage. It’s a social responsibility of inclusion and equity and the future of our town’s young. Let’s make all feel welcome, part-of and worth more than a deficit, strain on the richest in wealth, money and property. After all, it only takes one positive coach or good teacher to change the life of a child. Than you.
Registered user
East Palo Alto
on Apr 12, 2022 at 5:02 pm
Registered user
on Apr 12, 2022 at 5:02 pm
Native to the BAY, Palo Alto is in Santa Clara County, not San Mateo. Therefore, Palo Alto organizations would not be granted these funds.
Registered user
Old Palo Alto
on Apr 13, 2022 at 11:10 am
Registered user
on Apr 13, 2022 at 11:10 am
Thanks revdreEileen. Santa Clara County could do the same.