Two East Boston nonprofits will share in $2.2 million that was awarded to 51 organizations this week that promote economic mobility for low-income residents.
Last week Mayor Martin Walsh and the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development (OWD) announced the latest round of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. The grant money going to these two Eastie organizations will provide employment, education and economic services.
“In Boston, we are fortunate to have organizations that are dedicated to creating economic opportunity for everyone,” said Walsh. “Together, these grants are truly a partnership. By providing these organizations with the funding they need, we are investing in our residents, and taking another step forward in closing the equity gap, creating more opportunities for all.”
The East Boston Social Centers will receive $20,000 to support its Boston Youth Network (BYN). The BYN is a free after-school program serving East Boston’s at-risk middle school and high school students.
Zumix, the neighborhood’s premier music, radio and performing arts agency, will receive $30,000 in grant money to support one of its programs that offers hands-on academic programming for low-income youth ages 12-18 in Eastie.
Walsh said this grant cycle OWD prioritized organizations offering services that give residents access to economic opportunity, including employment training and career readiness, youth development programming, essential language access and economic benefits counseling. The organizations represent nearly every neighborhood in Boston and consist of various competitive program models.
Grantees were selected through an open and competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) procurement process with input from both the public and private sectors.