The Providence After School Alliance (PASA) received a prestigious grant from the Barr Foundation for $300,000 to work with the Providence Public School Department (PPSD) and two high schools, namely 360 and Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex (JSEC), to further develop innovative expanded learning pathways, both in schools and beyond the classroom, that will lead to post-secondary success.
This 18-month planning grant acknowledges and builds on the existing successful collaboration between PASA, PPSD and the two participating high schools. With this funding, the partners will be able to continue to create ways for students in the wider learning ecosystem to acquire key knowledge and skills to prepare for career and college. Major focus will be on involving the young people in the design of their learning experiences, working closely with the faculty and engaging with a wealth of community-based organizations, businesses, and entrepreneurs who are actively involved in creating dynamic learning opportunities for students that can lead to workforce development.
“We believe it is essential for youth to experience a range of quality learning opportunities in schools and beyond the classroom in order to advance their intellectual, social-emotional, creative, and physical development. We have seen that in addition to job specific skills, contemporary employers increasingly look at a candidate’s ability to draw from a multitude of experiences, and place more value on social and emotional skills like collaboration and innovative thinking.” – Hillary Salmons, PASA Executive Director
The Barr Foundation awarded this grant to PASA as part of their focus on funding innovative approaches to “Preparing for Post-Secondary Success Through the Wider Learning Ecosystem”. PASA was one of 8 grantees in New England that received a grant. For more information visit the Barr Foundation website at: https://www.barrfoundation.org/blog/new-grants-support-11-schools-redesign-where-learning-happens.
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For further information please contact:
Amy Karageorgos, Development and Communications, PASA, Tel: (401) 490-9599 ext. 102 akarageorgos@mypasa.org
About PASA
The Providence After School Alliance’s mission is to expand and improve quality after-school, summer, and other expanded learning opportunities for the youth of Providence, Rhode Island by organizing a sustainable, public/private system that contributes to student success and serves as a national model. PASA has served over 14,000 youth to date and is the largest public private after-school partnership in the city. For more information, visit mypasa.org or follow @MyPASA.
About the Barr Foundation
The Barr Foundation’s mission is to invest in human, natural, and creative potential, serving as thoughtful stewards and catalysts. Based in Boston, Barr focuses regionally, and selectively engages nationally, working in partnership with nonprofits, foundations, the public sector, and civic and business leaders to elevate the arts, advance solutions for climate change, and connect all students to success in high school and beyond. With assets of $1.7 billion, Barr is among the largest private foundations in New England and has contributed more than $834 million to charitable causes since 1999. For more information, visit barrfoundation.org or follow @BarrFdn.