SPRING 2025 GRANT RECIPIENTS

A Little Spot of Kindness: CRHS’ EDGE Club will read books with 1st grade classes about sharing and kindness, with a mini book for each child and one for the classroom.

Journaling for Life: Levi Coe Library will have workshops designed to benefit memory, combat anxiety and boost creativity and positivity for teens and adults.

Coach Training: The Coginchaug Youth Soccer Club will sponsor parents and CRHS students volunteering to attend diploma-level soccer coach training, to establish a base of skilled coaches for the future.

Towns United through Meals and Mentoring: DMYFS, Durham and Middlefield's senior services and the Giving Garden will bring youth and seniors together for healthy cooking and meals.

Make and Take: Based on a successful program at the Durham Public Library, the CRHS library will have boxes for students to learn crafts while discussing books with CRHS and Durham librarians.

Unified Cooking Club: CRHS will run cooking sessions, including organizing, planning and shopping, for students with disabilities and other teens.

Poets in the Park: Durham poet laureate Leslie Bulion will work with CRHS creative writing students and community poets to stage an event at White’s Farm.

Poetry Workshops: The Durham Public Library, with Leslie Bulion, will run workshops to nurture the poetic muse of participants listening to invited poets’ hints and prompts.

Mindfulness Matters: Yoga with a certified instructor will be offered to students at Memorial/Strong schools. Correct breathing and self-calming will be part of the instruction.

Family Music: Levi Coe Library will offer ukulele instruction to families, designed for fun and engagement. The ukuleles will be available for more classes and circulation.

Durham Arts Council: The Council will be organized by the town, with plans to offer classes and workshops, lectures and exhibits of local artists.

Coginchaug Outdoor Enrichment Center Programs: The Center will hold two programs: a raptor information session by A Place Called Hope and a foraging program by the Connecticut Foraging Club.

Revolutionary War Encampment: Part of Durham’s America 250 celebration, the encampment, including professional reenactments, will be on Main Street in the Historic District.  

Multigenerational Art: The Durham Public Library will offer polymer clay classes to teens and their parents/guardians to foster better relationships, while learning and creating art.

Durham Farm History Boards: The Durham Fair Farm Museum and Durham Historical Society will take local farm history boards, now digitized, and reproduce them on waterproof boards for display in the community.

Decodable Library: More phonics-centered books will be available at the elementary school level (K-4).

Otte Property Enhancements: The Durham Conservation Commission will be working on a conservation trail through this town-owned land, including signage.

Prepared and Empowered: Durham and Middlefield Senior Services will run classes for age 55+ residents in life planning and navigating the challenges of senior living.