Youth Promise Program: Strengthening Futures Through Partnership

Mark Flynn — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 15:45:36 +0000

Youth Promise Program: Strengthening Futures Through Partnership

We are excited to share an impactful collaboration for the Youth Promise Program, a key initiative for Windham’s youth. In partnership with the Connecticut Social Equity Council, and the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, we are embarking on a journey to create brighter futures and open new opportunities by launching our immersive, fun, and educational experience at the Phoenix Academy, the Windham Public Schools’ innovative alternative high school program.

By joining forces with these esteemed organizations, the Youth Promise Program is set to expand its reach and deepen its impact in the community.

Empowering Youth with the Support of the Connecticut Social Equity Council and Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut

The Connecticut Social Equity Council's Involvement

The Connecticut Social Equity Council plays a pivotal role in this initiative. Funded in portion by the SEC’s Community Reinvestment Grant, the Youth Promise Program at Phoenix Academy is a testament to the Council’s commitment to healing and supporting communities historically affected by the war on drugs. The SEC’s approach is multifaceted and deeply collaborative, focusing on developing a comprehensive community reinvestment plan.

This plan, a result of the SEC’s strategic multiphase approach, aims to establish a framework for effectively reinvesting state revenues back into communities most impacted by the war on drugs. The SEC’s dedication to working directly with these communities and stakeholders ensures that the reinvestment strategy not only aligns with community needs but also adheres to state requirements.

Through a combination of surveys and community conversations, the SEC is gathering insights to develop a reinvestment plan that addresses core community needs. This approach is pivotal in their mission to bring essential resources back into communities. It is this cornerstone of work that makes the SEC’s support invaluable to the Youth Promise Program.

Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut's Role

The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut plays a pivotal role in the Youth Promise Program, serving as a key intermediary in the allocation of funds from the Connecticut Social Equity Council’s (SEC) Community Reinvestment Pilot Program. Their involvement is critical in targeting communities in Eastern Connecticut, particularly New London, Norwich, and Willimantic/Windham, which have been disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs.

Tasked with the stewardship of these funds, the Foundation has meticulously directed resources towards enriching youth programs and supporting reintegration efforts for formerly incarcerated individuals. This approach aligns perfectly with the Foundation’s broader mission of fostering a thriving and sustainable community in Eastern Connecticut. By focusing on both immediate needs and long-term development, the Foundation ensures that the Youth Promise Program and similar initiatives have a profound and lasting impact.

Their strategic grantmaking encompasses a range of services, from mental health support to educational enrichment, reflecting a deep understanding of community needs. This comprehensive strategy not only addresses the immediate challenges faced by these communities but also lays the groundwork for future growth and development.

Through this partnership, the Youth Promise Program benefits from the Foundation’s expertise and commitment to creating positive change, making a tangible difference in the lives of the youth in Eastern Connecticut.

The Mission At Hand

Our mission is clear and focused: to empower the students at Phoenix Academy, Windham Public Schools’ innovative alternative high school. We are dedicated to equipping these young minds with essential career skills, igniting their passion for learning, and guiding them towards career paths that are not just relevant but also fulfilling.

Every week, the Youth Promise Program unfolds a series of activities, each meticulously designed to nurture 21st-century workforce skills. These activities range from hands-on learning experiences to immersive fieldwork, all aimed at developing crucial leadership qualities in our youth.

But our program is more than just skill development; it’s about creating connections and opening doors. Through our robust partnership with the Connecticut Social Equity Council, the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, and other community stakeholders, we are building a vast network. This network connects Windham’s youth to a broad array of professionals, offering them unique insights and opportunities that pave the way for successful and meaningful careers.

As we move forward, we remain committed to this vision of empowerment and growth. The Youth Promise Program is not just an educational initiative; it’s a catalyst for change, fostering the next generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers in our community.

Project Imo Obtains Microsoft Grant Exceeding $100,000.00

Mark Flynn — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 17:55:00 +0000

Project Imo obtains Microsoft grant

We hinted at some big news. Well, our Director of Integrated Technology, Dennis “Dino” Perlot, has this to say,

“Great news: We have qualified for a Microsoft grant for non-profits. In a nutshell, they gave us thousands of dollars worth of software and services annually for free. What did we get?

Project Imo is the recipient of over $105,000 worth of technical software capacity over a 10 year period including 365 Business Premium, Dynamic 365 Sales Enterprise, PowerApps, and state-of-the-art data storage.”

This gives Project Imo the capacity to really grow our infrastructure and direct more donations from our generous Villager into direct programs and related expenses. When we collect youth program data for schools, it will be in some of the most secure cloud storage on Earth. We will have premiere business software that elevates our administrative capacity for a decade.

This grant was part of Microsoft for Nonprofits and we simply cannot thank them enough.

The full breakdown of this grant is here.

Microsoft 365 Business Premium

What is it: Microsoft 365 Business Premium was purpose built for small and medium-sized businesses. It provides them with the best-in-class productivity capabilities of Microsoft 365 Business Standard plus advanced security features to safeguard business data and assets across devices.

Retail Cost: 10 licenses at $20 per user per month, or $2400 yearly

Impact for Project IMO: Avoids the cost of the applications we need to run a business along with secure data storage and collaboration tools.

Dynamic 365 Sales Enterprise

What it is: Dynamics 365 is a customer relationship management system similar to Salesforce. It provides facilities to reach out to and track donors along with an artificial intelligence engine suggesting “the next best action”. Included are revenue prediction tools and facilities to track volunteers.

Retail Cost: 5 licenses at $95 per user per month, or $5700 yearly

Impact for Project IMO: We can leverage the experience built into these powerful tools to drive Project Imo growth without the burden of developing them ourselves or having to purchase them.

Power Apps

What is it: Power Apps is a tool for building low-code/no-code desktop and phone based applications. It supports the digital transformation of manual and outdated processes.

Retail Cost: $20 per user per month, or $2400 yearly

Impact for Project IMO: Power Apps is how we build apps like mobile event sign up, youth citizen science for STEAM education programs, integrated program assessment practices, program weather checkers, and many more to support and grow our community.

Retail Cost: 5 licenses at $95 per user per month, or $5700 yearly

Impact for Project IMO: We can leverage the experience built into these powerful tools to drive Project Imo growth without the burden of developing them ourselves or having to purchase them.

Azure $3500 grant

What is it: Azure is the world’s leading cloud platform with over 54 data centers around the planet. They process over 1 trillion (yes that’s TRILLION) security signals a day. They offer HIPPA compliant data protection and have over 240 security certifications.

Impact for Project IMO: this will cover the cost of our database and other facilities in Azure and provide the protection we need.

Grants – Project Imo

Youth Promise Program: Strengthening Futures Through Partnership