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.
SPRING 2024 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Creating Paths to Healthy Aging through Art: Levi Coe Library & the Middlefield Senior Center will run seasonal painting/craft workshops for seniors.
Bobolinks, Grasses and Wildlife Festival: Birding for Pleasure will partner with several groups to hold a festival of speakers, birding experts, local horticulturalists and activities, run at multiple locations on Saturday, July 13.
Community Parent Emotional Health Series: IDS will hold a series of talks by experts, open to the community, about the difficulties parents face today in raising their children.
Canvas Kaleidoscope: Levi Coe Library will run creative art workshops for seniors and youth at the Middlefield Community Center, with a mounting board for display and an art reception.
Introduction to Painting: The Durham Public Library will continue this successful program, started last year with a state grant. An art show for the community will also be held.
Lego Robotics: The Durham Public Library will purchase an additional Lego Spike Robotics kit to increase the STEM workshops for grades 1-5 by 20%. Classes culminate in a LEGOlympics.
Play Based Learning: Play materials will be purchased for RSD 13 Kindergarteners to assist in play-based learning activities. Teachers will develop strategies to include more individual play in classrooms.
Keeping in Tune: A CRHS student will start a mentoring music program staffed by volunteer older students to support and coach younger music students and collaborate with their music teachers.
Strong School Unified Garden: Gardens begun in 2022-23 will be revitalized by Coginchaug and Strong Unified Campus/Sports participants. Indoor planting projects and field trips will also be undertaken.
Coginchaug Carnival: This annual start-of-school event is now organized by an official CRHS club. The club will purchase lawn games and supplies to also be used by other classes and events throughout the year.
Building Community – Spartan News: This elective at Strong School will now be offered all four quarters. Students produce a TV news program for homerooms.
Travel Games: Levi Coe Library will assemble kits for patrons to borrow when traveling by car, plane, etc. Kits will include portable games for all ages.
Don’t Leaf Us Alone: Cub Scout Pack 33 will create a new bird sanctuary garden, with assistance from local experts. They will visit other sanctuaries and team up with a local birding group.
Safe Babysitter Program: DMYFS will broaden their Safe Sitter program, offering classes to children grades 6-8 and grandparents. Safe at Home classes will be offered to grades 4-6.