Norwalk/Stamford Grassroots Tennis & Education, Odyssey Summer Camp, and Norwalk Community College are teaming up again this summer to develop a one-of-a-kind, dynamic summer program that supports the physical, social, and emotional needs of students, ignites a love of learning through a holistic blend of educational and enrichment components, while removing financial and other barriers that have typically precluded participation.
Due to existing inequities prior to COVID-19, the children and youth in our communities do not have access to the same opportunities, resources and support their white and higher income peers have. So, when COVID hit, the impact of these inequities simply deepened, depriving the children and youth we serve from the critical stable, high quality, holistic, engaging and dynamic support that all children need to thrive. This partnership program was designed specifically to fill this gap, mitigating the harmful effects of inequity and COVID-19 on the students, families, and communities that Grassroots and Odyssey serve, by offering a 6 week, full-day camp, free of charge, from June 27 – August 5.
Jhonsely, mother of two children attending camp this summer, reflected on her families experience so far, “My children love going to the summer camp. While going to summer camp my children continue to learn every day. They learn about going to college and how to start a business. They also learn about different countries and how to play tennis. I am very pleased with the summer camp; it makes me happy that my children continue to learn during the summer and that is important to me.”
By working together, we are able to serve significantly more young people than we would on our own; provide enhanced programming with a blend of sports, academics and enrichment activities that focus on supporting social, emotional and character development; provide extended day programming that allows parents and caregivers to be at work; and we are able to offer this free of charge to families who wouldn’t otherwise be able to participate.
This innovative partnership serves 130 children ages 5 - 14, who primarily reside in the South Norwalk community. The first half of the day students participate in rotations between tennis, academics, leadership development and enrichment at both Grassroots and Odyssey sites. The students in grades 4-8 then board buses and head to Norwalk Community College for an afternoon filled with rotations of enrichment activities and learning. The programming is differentiated by age and grade and includes some of the following: culinary arts; video gaming; robotics; mad science; jewelry making; sports business; entrepreneurship; media minds; financial literacy.
The instant response to the urgent request for funding support from key partners was extraordinary. Co-investors who are deeply committed to the children and families in South Norwalk, and lifting up marginalized communities, stepped up in a tremendous way to ensure this innovative partnership camp could continue. These co-investors are:
City of Norwalk, Community Recovery Fund Program
Fairfield County’s Community Foundation – Anonymous donor-advised fund holder
John and Anne-Marie Knight
Ritter Family Foundation
The Scripps Family Fund for Education and The Arts
Wilson Sheehan Foundation
Anonymous Funder
“Without the generosity of these funders, as well as their trust in Grassroots, our partners, and their belief in the collective impact of this unique and innovative partnership, we would not have been able to provide this extraordinary opportunity for learning and growing for young people in South Norwalk,” said Grassroots Executive Director Betsy McNeil.
Kate Ritter, Executive Director of the Ritter Family Foundation, shares, “When these community leaders put this program together last year, I couldn't have been more excited. It was a wonderful example of three community partners innovating and collaborating to address significant need within the most vulnerable community in Norwalk. And they designed and executed a program that capitalized on each other's strengths and services, free of charge for Norwalk families. While I am disappointed with the state’s decision to not continue funding this year, I am proud of our funding community for stepping up so quickly to ensure that children and families can again benefit from this dynamic partnership.”
Each of the three partners – Odyssey Summer Camp, Norwalk Community College and Grassroots Tennis & Education - has a solid and impactful history of providing high quality programming for youth and families in the South Norwalk community. By collaborating together, this partnership is able to offer a unique model that combines the distinct characteristics and strengths of each partner into a powerful summer experience for those students most in need.