Mayor Thomas M. Menino will join Harvard University President Drew Faust this evening to award another $100,000 in grants to nine local organizations through the Harvard Allston Partnership Fund. To date, the fund has infused $200,000 in grants to nonprofits and organizations serving North Allston and North Brighton.

“The Partnership Fund grants are supporting vibrant programs and community improvements that have a real impact for people in this neighborhood, especially in these tough economic times,” Mayor Menino said. “This is the kind of partnership among our universities, the City and this neighborhood that is making a difference. I applaud the work of our dedicated committee of local residents who worked hard to select this second round of grant recipients.”

The event is taking place at the Harvard Allston Ice Rink, which Harvard recently opened at the site of the former Volkswagen dealership. The grants are helping local non-profits provide Allston-Brighton children and families with free community programming, including ice skating and youth hockey classes, computer and parenting classes, after school and summer enrichment programs, and programs around Allston-Brighton’s colorful history.

The grants are part of the $500,000 5-year Harvard Allston Partnership Fund, created in 2008 by Harvard University and the Boston Redevelopment Authority, in collaboration with the Allston community, to support neighborhood improvement projects, cultural enrichment, and educational programming. The $200,000—awarded to 14 organizations over the last two years—has assisted organizations in beautifying the neighborhood, expanding existing community programs and helped programs become available to more people regardless of their financial background. It also helped launch a new community organization, the Allston Brighton Arts Bridge, last year.

“Supporting local organizations that have an immediate and lasting impact on families in Allston-Brighton is just one way that Harvard is actively engaged in the community,” said Harvard President Drew Faust. “We are committed to these important neighborhood partnerships, and to working together to enhance the quality of life for residents.”

The nine grant recipients were selected from a pool of applications by a seven-person mayor-appointed advisory committee made up of Allston-Brighton community members. The committee carefully scrutinized applications for programs and services that would trickle down into the community.

“Whether it’s giving every child who wants to the opportunity to skate for free or hop in a boat and learn to fish, these programs are opening up opportunities for our children and keeping them safe,” said John Bruno, Harvard-Allston Partnership Fund committee member. “These grants are directly beneficial and provide a link between Harvard and the community that’s tangible and really makes a difference.”

Grants from $4,500 to nearly $25,000 were awarded to: The Gardner Pilot Academy (GPA), Allston-Brighton Youth Hockey, Family Nurturing Center of Massachusetts, Friends of the Honan-Allston Library, Brighton-Allston Historical Society and Heritage Museum, Big Sister Association of Greater Boston, Fishing Academy, West End House Boys Camp and West End House Girls Camp.

The Gardner Pilot Academy (GPA) will expand their existing after school, summer enrichment and adult education programming for both children and parents, will be able to reduce fees and, in some cases, provide free programming for families that have been hit hard by the economy.

“It’s a real struggle in a downturn economy to sustain our program model of serving the whole child, which includes academic enrichment and social support for children and their families,” said Lauren Fogarty, Director of Extended Learning Time at the Gardner Pilot Academy. “Taking any of the pieces we offer away will keep us from reaching our mission and these grants will make a huge difference to sustain the programs as well as close opportunity gaps for North Allston/North Brighton students.”

About the second round HAPF recipients and their programming

• The Gardner Pilot Academy (GPA) will be able to serve more residents through their Adult Education program, a verbal and written literacy program and continue their support of after school and summer enrichment education for children.

• The Allston-Brighton Youth Hockey will give more local children free access to their Learn-to-Skate program for six to eight year olds and offsets costs of the mite hockey team (ages 6 to 8).

• The Family Nurturing Center of Massachusetts is partnering with the Gardner Pilot Academy to offer a 15-week free bilingual Nurturing Parenting program and basic language learning for non-English speaking parents.

• The Friends of the Honan-Allston Library will provide more, free basic computer classes for adults and support ongoing spring, summer and fall classes provided at the Library.

• The Brighton-Allston Historical Society and Heritage Museum will create new historical markers in Allston and educational activities that enhance residents respect for the past and promote pride in the community.

• The Big Sister Association of Greater Boston will enable more one-to-one mentoring matches between women and Allston-Brighton girls which help the youngsters build self-esteem and develop new skills and interests.

• The Fishing Academy will give more Allston-Brighton children and youth free access to fishing trips that introduce urban children to the area’s waterways and emphasize teamwork, diversity, service and respect.

• The West End House Boys Camp will offer scholarships to Allston-Brighton boys to attend a two-week session at a camp in Maine.

• The West End House Girls Camp will offer scholarships to Allston-Brighton girls to attend a two-week session at Crossroads for Kids Camp Wing in Duxbury, MA.

Media Contacts: Jessica Shumaker, BRA, 617.918.4446 and Lauren Marshall, Harvard, 617-495-1585.

Release Date: February 26, 2010