Page 4 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2026 Women Encouraging Empowerment awarded $60K Cummings Grant W omen Encouraging Empowerment (WEE) has been selected as one of 150 nonprofi ts to receive funding through Cummings Foundation’s annual grant program, which awarded $35 million this year. Chosen through a competitive review process that drew a record 959 applicants, the Revere-based organization will receive $60,000 over three years. WEE is dedicated to supporting immigrant and refugee women and their families as they pursue economic stability, leadership opportunities and meaningful participation in their communities. WEE off ers programming in education and job readiness, community building and economic support, including English language classes, computer training, medical debt assistance, community Zumba classes and the Women’s Circle. Through a weekly Resource Hub and a pop-up Free Store, WEE connects community members with basic needs and multiple resources. “WEE has instituted new programs including the Repair to Rewear pilot program in sewing instruction. This grant will help us to respond to the needs and interests of our community and keep serving immigrant women in meaningful ways,” says WEE Board President and Founder Fatou Drammeh. “WEE is deeply grateful to the Cummings Foundation. This funding will allow us to dream big, knowing that we have reliable funding to support our goals through the coming years,” says Interim Executive Director Jessica Wilson. This year the Woburn-based Cummings Foundation increased its annual grant program from $30 million to $35 million and shifted to fully unrestricted funding, allowing recipients to direct grant dollars where they are needed most. Foundation executive director and trustee Joyce Vyriotes noted that the changes reflect growing concerns among Greater Boston nonprofi ts about rising costs, increased demand for services and sustained uncertainty around public funding. “Nonprofi t professionals are closest to the challenges facing their communities, making them best positioned to determine where and how new funds will drive the greatest impact,” said Vyriotes. “By proWEE | SEE Page 19 WEE volunteers lead children’s crafts and activities for community members at the Beach Moves and Grooves event, which was held in August 2026. WEE staff , volunteers and community members at the annual Mother’s Day celebration event in 2026
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