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A jobs program aimed at matching students with living wage careers, reading, career development with a senior housing developer, camperships, mentoring, sports and other youth activities are sharing in $750,000 from the city’s second year of Youth Activities and Mental Health Grants.
As WHAV previously reported, applicants were solicited this spring to apply for grants—$500,000 coming from the federal American Rescue Plan Act and $250,000 from cannabis fees and a national opioids settlement.
“The social and educational isolation of the COVID years imposed a terrible burden on our kids,” Mayor James J. Fiorentini said. “This funding is a chance to do some very meaningful and necessary things to improve the lives of our children and teens.”
The goal of the fund is to support youth activities and youth who traditionally lack similar opportunities as children from more affluent families. Low-income and minority children, and groups that support them, were given priority among applicants. Participation fees, uniforms, equipment, summer camps and other expenses such as transportation are among eligible expenses.
The single largest grant, $75,000, went to the 21st Century Jobskills Project conceived by retired Army Lt. General John D. “Jack” Gardner of Alexandria, Va. The program helps student identify a career and career plan development to achieve a “true living wage job.” Next up, Mount Washington-based Somebody Cares New England was awarded $55,000 to address “social-emotional wellness and practical life skills, in addition to physical development through sports.”
Former mayoral Chief of Staff Allison Heartquist, now director of Gardner’s HP3—Haverhill-Public Private Partnership, served as chair of the group evaluating grant requests. According to Fiorentini Communications Director Shawn Regan, Heartquist and any other committee members with a potential conflicts of interest, did not participate in discussions of those applications.
Another large grant, $54,000, was awarded to Bethany Community Services for a Youth Career Development program in partnership with the city’s Gateway Academy. It introduces 17 students to careers in senior housing.
Haverhill Promise, focused on increasing grade-level reading by the third grade received more than $20,000 for its “Book Buddies” and “Upstart” programs.
ARPA manager Kathleen Lambert City was responsible for making sure payments were ready for recipients by the end of the June. Lambert, along with the city’s ARPA consultant, Anser Advisory, and additional city staff worked with applicants navigating the online application process and federally required paperwork.
A complete list of grant awards appears below.
| Recipient | Grant | |
|---|---|---|
| 21st Century Jobskills Project | $75,000 | |
| Somebody Cares New England | $55,000 | |
| Bethany Community Services | $54,000 | |
| YMCA of the North Shore | $52,162 | |
| Leaving The Streets Ministries | $50,000 | |
| Haverhill Hammers Youth Wrestling | $30,000 | |
| Urban Village Montessori | $29,500 | |
| Emmaus | $26,000 | |
| Creative Haverhill Inc. (Industry Workforce Exposure) | $25,000 | |
| Riverside-Bradford Baseball League | $25,000 | |
| Boys & Girls Club of Greater Haverhill (Campership) | $24,000 | |
| All Saints Parish | $22,500 | |
| Haverhill Public Schools (Premier Martial Arts) | $21,792 | |
| Haverhill Downtown Boxing | $20,000 | |
| Whittier Middle School PTO | $20,000 | |
| Elliot Community Human Services (The NAN Project) | $20,000 | |
| Haverhill Public Schools (Girls Empowered Means Success “GEMS”) | $16,700 | |
| Haverhill Public Schools (GRIT) | $16,230 | |
| Haverhill Promise Upstart | $15,000 | |
| YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts | $14,456 | |
| Haverhill Public Schools (Mr. K’s Auto School) | $13,500 | |
| Boys & Girls Club of Greater Haverhill (Music Program) | $10,000 | |
| Haverhill Public Schools Wellness Committee | $10,000 | |
| Presidential Gardens Neighborhood Association | $9,000 | |
| Ruth House | $9,000 | |
| The Salvation Army | $8,625 | |
| Haverhill Promise Book Buddies | $8,185 | |
| Dawns Here Health & Wellness | $7,750 | |
| Urban Bridges | $6,965 | |
| Bradford Swim Club (Swim Lessons) | $6,000 | |
| Elizabeth Rose Palma Polvere | $6,000 | |
| Haverhill Parents Athletic League (Haverhill Youth Soccer) | $5,075 | |
| Creative Haverhill (Murals Project) | $5,000 | |
| Haverhill Public Schools (Cedardale Health Center) | $5,000 | |
| Bradford Swim Club (Lifeguard Training) | $4,900 | |
| Creative Haverhill Inc. Craftism Class) | $3,000 | |
| Creative Haverhill Inc. Tis The Season To Give Tree) | $1,720 | |
| Creative Haverhill Inc. (Mas Fuertes Unidos) | $1,600 | |
| Total | $733,660 |