Young children in Massachusetts will benefit from key investments in their education because of two recent wins ensuring critical state funding for summer learning programs and early education and out-of-school- time facilities programs. 

Five of our EEOST partners received grants through the state's $8.5 million dollar Early Education and Out-of-School Time Capital Fund, one of United Way of Massachusetts Bay’s 2023-2024 policy priorities.United Way successfully advocated for the continuation of this critical program in the recently passed Affordable Homes Act.  

In a celebration at East Boston Social Centers, state and local lawmakers - and some very grateful students - celebrated their $246,000 grant to fix their broken main elevator this summer. Other partners receiving capital funds through this program include: The Community Group in Lawrence $272,000, South Shore Stars in Quincy, $500,000, South Boston Neighborhood House $236,000, and YMCA of Greater Boston $251,000. 

United Way of Massachusetts Bay is also celebrating funding for Summer Step Program in the FY25 state budget. Administered since 2021 by United Way of Massachusetts Bay, the Summer Step Up program has provided academic and enrichment activities for more than 2,000 children annually in more than 30 organizations across the state. 

In Stoneham, The Boys and Girls Club of Stoneham and Wakefield received a WCVB Wake Up Call on August 26, 2024 and a write up in the Stoneham Independent on their Model Kindergarten on August 22, 2024 (see picture.) 

The Haverhill YMCA’s Summer Literacy Program was featured on WHAV in a piece called, “Students at the Haverhill YMCA’s Summer Literacy Academy Show Off Reading Skills.”  Tracy Fuller, executive director for the Haverhill YMCA was quoted saying “You can see the pride they have in their growing reading skills and when they make a new friend. The benefits of this program are multi-faceted, but it’s the confidence that stands out for me.” 

In an August 16, 2024 piece called, “ ‘Sleepwalking into a crisis’: Summer programs catch on as federal money runs out,” elly Field of The Hechinger Report highlights the importance of summer and after-school programming as well as the Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership, one of UWMB’s policy partners.  

“We’re sleepwalking into a crisis,” said MAP executive director, Patrick Stanton, adding that he believes families will be in for a shock next summer when pandemic era supports run out of funding.

Read the Healy Adminstration's press release on the funding here.

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About the United Way of Massachusetts Bay 

United Way of Massachusetts Bay exists to build more equitable communities, together. With over 85 years of local impact in eastern Massachusetts, we work with and for our communities to build economic prosperity and enable everyone–across races and ethnicities–to share in the knowledge, wealth and resources available. We believe that the key to unlocking opportunity is uniting people, and we bring together individuals, community leaders, corporate partners, legislators and organizations to build a powerful engine of change. Visit www.unitedwaymassbay.org for more information.