Matt Lesser

Sen. Lesser Welcomes $186,040 in Summer Enrichment Grants for Local Organizations in Summer of 2023, 2024

HARTFORD, CT – Today, State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) welcomed the state’s announcement that $186,040 in state grants will be awarded to organizations in the 9th Senate District in the summers of 2023 and 2024 through the Summer Enrichment Program which will allocate $13 million in grants to 110 organizations across the state for the next two summers. These resources come from federal COVID-19 relief dollars the state received to support its response to the pandemic, including from the American Rescue Plan Act and the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund.

This program is intended to connect Connecticut students whose education was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with low- or no-cost high-quality enrichment opportunities, including summer camps, childcare centers and other similar programs. The program prioritized communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

“These summer enrichment programs are so important for families. Not only do they provide safe, fun and educational activities for kids – they also offer affordable childcare options for parents while school is out for the summer,” said State Sen. Matt Lesser. “Many of these children are still suffering from the effects of the pandemic, and I’m pleased that the Lamont administration is making sure we can give these kids a normal, fun summer camp experience.”

“Since we created this program a couple of years ago, these grants have expanded access to summertime learning opportunities for thousands of Connecticut students who otherwise may not have been able to enroll in this kind of high-quality programming,” Governor Lamont said. “Summer camps are a valuable experience for children when they are out of school – not only for supporting their overall education, but also when it comes to strengthening their social skills and emotional well-being. Continuing this program has been an important priority for our administration, and I’m glad that we are able to provide funding for it for another two summers.”

The following organizations in Sen. Lesser’s district received funding: Camp Spencer (City of Middletown) will receive $41,120 in 2023 and $44,920 in 2024; Summer Enrichment (Northern Middlesex YMCA) will receive $50,000 in 2023 and $50,000 in 2024; Families seeking to enroll their children in the participating programs for the summer of 2023 can find a list of available opportunities online by visiting summerct.org. Camps will run as early as the first week of June through the end of August.