The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) received more than 700 applications and awarded 161 community partners across Ohio, of which CBIM received three. The grants awarded were the Summer Create Grant, awarding $684,705 – $228,235 per year for three years – for CBIM to provide free summer learning opportunities at Mayfield Elementary, Smith Park, Three R Development, the Louella Thompson Dream Center and the Robert “Sonny” Hill Jr. Community Center. These dollars will enable CBI to serve an additional 250 students from kindergarten through 5th grade.
Additionally, ODE’s Summer Expand Grant awarded $598,434 – $199,478 per year for three years – to expand CBIM’s current free summer learning opportunities at Amanda and Rosa Parks Elementary, Middletown High School , and serving youth from K-5 and 9-12.
And the state’s Afterschool Create Grant received $1,000,000 — $500,000 a year for two years — to expand afterschool programs to 10 new locations. Mayfield, Creekview, Miller Ridge, Wildwood Elementary, Highview 6th Grade Center, Middletown Middle School, Central Academy, Three R Development, the Louella Thompson Dream Center, and Robert “Sonny” Hill Jr. Community Center.
This funding will allow CBIM to serve up to 500 K-8 students and offer free after-school program sites at all Middletown schools and with two community partners.
In addition, these grants will also support weekly Meetup, Read Up and Eat Up, our summer reading program from June 1 to July 20, at multiple locations in the community, and serve key students not enrolled in learning programs. ‘summer.
The grants are reserved for the after-school programs mentioned above and should not be used for construction projects or other CBIM programs, officials said.
“The grants will allow us to work with our students throughout the year, providing them with social and emotional support, academic support and recreational opportunities. We are working in tandem with the Middletown School District and their Learning Recovery and Extended Learning Plan that will create a solid experience for Middletown students. It’s not just CBIM, it’s all of us working to do something really great for our children,” said Verlena Stewart, Deputy CEO of CBIM.
For parents and guardians interested in enrolling their children in the free programs, go to www.cbimiddletown.org.
