United Way
Westfield Education Foundation received a $45,000 grant from United Way/LEI - The Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund (C-CERF). Hamilton County School districts were awarded a total of $300,000 from United Way of Central Indiana (UWCI). WEF received $45,000 and funds went toward developmental disabilities preschool, English learners engagement, summer camp, youth assistance, and swim lessons at the YMCA.
Student and Family Engagement were the key focus of how we directed funds received from the C-Cerf Grant. Through engagement, we were able to create programs and opportunities that focused on our students' wellbeing.
We understood the strains caused by COVID and isolation. Funds were divided into 6 buckets (Developmental Disabilities Preschool, Traveling Teachers, English Language Learners, Westfield Youth Assistance in support of Camps, Westfield Washington Schools in support of Camps, YMCA Swim Lessons). We have 8865 students at WWS. All 8865 were able to receive some form of support from the grant. Additional programs were made available to those that were uninsured, underinsured, linguistically diverse, and economically disadvantaged. Often programs not only supported our students but our families as well.
The timing of the C-Cerf grant was phenomenal. Our Traveling Teacher fund allowed principals to host multiple outdoor gatherings, offer extra tutoring, reconnect with families, and build leaders. Partnered with Westfield Youth Assistance to send 72 youth to camp/enrichment programs. 100% of these students were free & reduced. In support of our findings that our Hispanic and non-English Speaking students were feeling less connected than peers, we hired staff and created events. We provided swim lessons in June and July for 27 youth. Hosted swim camp for Student Impact. And provided swim supplies and transportation for students that needed the assistance. These funds broke the barriers created for families. All 27 of the youth were free/reduced eligible. Our Development Disabilities Preschool program connected students who missed out on supports/enrichments due to Covid .