Page 12 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, June 3, 2022 Malden’s Immigrant Learning Center awarded $100K Cummings Foundation Grant M ALDEN – The Immigrant Learning Center (The ILC) is one of 140 Massachusetts not-for-profits to receive grants of $100,000 to $500,000 each through Cummings Foundation’s $25 Million Grant Program. The Malden-based organization was chosen from a total of 580 applicants during a competitive review process. It will receive $100,000 over two years. For 30 years The Immigrant ILC has served Malden and surrounding communities. The free English classes and related services The ILC provides enable immigrant and refugee residents to become contributing members of these communities, and the education about immigrants The ILC provides to all residents combats xenophobia and makes local communities stronger. “The support of the Cummings Foundation means so much to us,” said The ILC Founder and CEO Diane Portnoy. “It’s not just the critical fiscal support, it’s Cumming’s focus on community. Their support highlights immigrants as part of the fabric of our communities and shows that helping immigrants to succeed makes our commuSCHOLARSHIP | FROM PAGE 11 of the high school Senior Class of 2022 came into play. As Malden Mayor Gary Christenson, who is also chairperson of the Malden School Committee, was preparing for this year’s Malden High School graduation ceremony, which is set for this Sunday, June 5, it struck him just how hard this graduating class had been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. After consulting with Malden City Council President Craig Spadafora, who has been instrumental in the work delegated to the allocation of the $45.7M ARPA funds, and Ward 1 Councillor Peg Crowe, who has been an active member of the city’s Scholarship Committee, the Mayor had an idea: “Let’s address this is a BIG way.” According to City Hall staff, the Mayor reasoned, “ARPA funds are intended to help address the negative impacts of COVID-19 and also, a graduating class entering college at a time of unprecedented cost increases, still reeling from two years of COVID impacts, was worthy of our support.” After further discussions with City Council President Spadafora, Mayor Christenson decided to put some of the funds tate firm leases and manages 11 million square feet of debt-free space, the majority of which exclusively benefits the Foundation. “We are so fortunate in greatPictured from left to right: Cummings Properties Account Manager David Harvey, The Immigrant Learning Center Executive Director Vincent Rivers and The Immigrant Learning Center Director of Development Mark Correia. nities stronger.” Grant funding from the Cummings Foundation will result in enrollment of new students from The ILC waiting list and enable continued service for current students who will continue to advance to the next class level, secure employment, advance in their current job situation or enroll in further education/training and become U.S. citizens. The Cummings $25 Million that had not been allocated to a particular subcommittee to good work. Every Malden resident graduating this year and going onto college would receive a $1,000 scholarship. The City expects to allocate about $500,000 to fund this initiative, and the response has been overwhelming. The unexpected announcement of the plan at Tuesday night’s Malden High scholarship event at the Jenkins Auditorium at Malden High was met with an instant standing ovation and raucous cheers. As word spread throughout the city and region of this first-in-Massachusetts plan on Wednesday, television news stations flooded the city and interviews were held with Mayor Christenson and Malden High students, some of whom were participating in another senior class-related event at the high school, the National Honor Society induction ceremony. Malden High School seniors like Cyril Jeremie said they couldn’t believe it when they heard the news. “When I heard it, I was really shocked – considering all we’ve been through this year, I didn’t expect to be receiving $1,000 at the end of the year,” he said. Grant Program supports Massachusetts nonprofits that are based in and primarily serve Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk Counties. Through this placebased initiative, Cummings Foundation aims to give back in the areas where it owns commercial property. Its buildings are all managed, at no cost to the Foundation, by its affiliate, Cummings Properties. This Woburn-based commercial real esMalden senior Tony Giech, the MHS Class of 2022 Orator (as the #3-ranked student), echoed Jeremie’s response. “I just short-circuited. I was like, ‘No way this is happening. It has to be a prank. Where are the cameras?’” Giech said. As for what they plan to do with the money, MHS senior Massimiliano Lam said he has a few ideas already in mind. “Well, it can help to pay for tuition fees, cost of attendance, just commuting and all that stuff,” he said. They are all grateful for the extra help as they take the next steps towards building their future. “I am very grateful to the Mayor and everyone from the city involved with this,” said Jeremie – who is a star on the state tourney–bound MHS volleyball team – as he was preparing for practice on Thursday. “I do not come a family with a strong financial background. This [$1,000 scholarship] will be a big help.” “I’m grateful I was able to spend four years here. Malden High has been great. I was able to go to a school with rich diversity. I’m able to feel confident going into the world knowing I had that here,” senior Karen Rivera said on Wednesday. er Boston to have such effective nonprofits, plus a wealth of talented, dedicated professionals and volunteers to run them,” said Cummings Foundation Executive Director Joyce Vyriotes. “We are indebted to them for the work they do each day to provide for basic needs, break down barriers to education and health resources, and work toward a more equitable society.” With the help of about 90 volunteers, the Foundation first identified 140 organizations to receive grants of at least $100,000 each. Among the winners were first-time recipients as well as not-for-profits, such as The ILC, that had previously received Cummings Foundation grants. This year’s grant recipients represent a wide variety of causes, including food insecurity, immigrant and refugee services, social justice, education and mental health services. The not-for-profits are spread across 45 different cities and towns. The complete list of 140 grant winners, plus more than 900 previous recipients, is available at www.CummingsFoundation.org. Cummings Foundation has now awarded more than $375 million to Greater Boston notfor-profits. About The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc. The ILC of Malden, Mass., is a nonprofit organization that gives immigrants a voice in three ways. Firstly, The English Language Program provides free, year-round English classes to immigrant and refugee adults in Greater Boston to help them become successful workers, parents and community members. Secondly, The Public Education Institute informs Americans about immigrants and immigration in the United States. Thirdly, The Institute for Immigration Research, a joint venture with George Mason University, conducts research on the economic contributions of immigrants. For more information, visit the website http:// www.ilctr.org. The ILC can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn. How to Setup and Keep a Seasonal Nature Journal with Clare Walker Leslie Malden Public Library June 27th - 3-5 PM W hether sitting by the Pine Banks’ Pond, exploring the heights of Waitt’s Mount, or digging in the Malden Community Garden we have so much nature to explore here in Malden.Illustrator and Nature Educator Clare Walker Leslie will be at the Malden Public Library on Monday June 27th from 3-5pm presenting “How to Setup and Keep a Seasonal Nature Journal.” Participants will be encouraged to use words and drawings to deepen their understanding of the natural world with emphasis on drawing to learn more than learning to draw. This event will start inside and, weather permitting, move outside to the Library’s lawn. This event is open to all ages 10+, teens, and adults. No previous art experience required. Pencils and paper will be available but participants are welcome to bring their own drawing tools. To learn more and register call 781-324- 0218 or online at: maldenpubliclibrary.org/blog/nature. This program, sponsored by the Friends of the Malden Public Library, is free and open to the public. The Malden Public Library is located at 36 Salem St., Malden, MA 02148. To learn more about our 2022 Summer Reading Programing, email us at info@maldenpubliclibrary.org
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