"I'm kindergarten-ready!" 

SPEF’s Summer Start 2021 was a resounding success! It provided 167 young learners with a free, 5-week program chock-full of engaging classroom activities to build math and literacy skills, theme-based/hands-on projects, and a fun field day experience complete with a round-trip bus ride. This is the third year SPEF has offered Summer Start to children who are entering the Stamford Public Schools in the fall but have not had a complete preschool experience.

Working together to close the opportunity gap

Heartfelt thanks to our long-time partner, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation (FCCF). Recently it granted SPEF $25,000 for general operating support, which is reserved for highly effective organizations that are aligned with FCCF’s strategic plan to close the opportunity gap in Fairfield County. Earlier this year, FCCF also awarded SPEF a COVID-19 Resiliency Grant for addressing inequities in our community. This was used to support our Summer Start program. 

Building home libraries for Stamford's young learners

SPEF’s Books Across Stamford visited over 20 camps and schools this summer, including Summer Start, Stamford Recreation, CLC, and the Stamford Museum & Nature Center. In just a few weeks, more than 2,500 new books have found homes with over 1,400 children eager to read. This program reinforces the importance and value of printed literature while putting smiles on hundreds of little faces.