June 2018 Newsletter

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Dear Enroot family,  While we celebrate the amazing accomplishments of Enroot students this year, and recognize the many ways immigrants make our community stronger, we are deeply disturbed by what is happening in our country right now. Our government has failed people fleeing danger by enforcing flawed and destructive immigration policies. The Supreme Court decision on the Muslim ban was profoundly disheartening. In many ways our government’s policies and actions fail to recognize the humanity in immigrants. I write to you today in opposition of these hurtful, xenophobic and fear-based policies. I am saddened by the message we’re sending to the world, especially our Muslim brothers and sisters, and the children, women and men fleeing danger in their greatest time of need. This is not who we are.  In response to this moment, I urge you to continue finding new ways to support your immigrant neighbors. Lend a hand and a smile. Check in on them more often as they forge ahead and work to protect their families. Make sure they know they are still welcome here. Please also lend your voice to the wider policy debate. Call and write to your elected officials to let them know how you feel about the way our country is responding to this moment. If you’re in the Boston area, join my family and thousands of others at the big rally tomorrow at Boston City Hall.  Thank you for your steadfast support of Enroot and for doing anything you can to stand with immigrant families, especially during this time. Yours in solidarity, Ben Clark Executive Director Enroot awarded Biogen Foundation Grant Biogen Foundation announced Enroot as one of 6 key partners of the $10 million STAR Initiative to drive the development of local STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) ecosystems in Cambridge and Somerville. The 4-year $500,000 investment represents an exciting opportunity for accelerated growth and program improvement. STAR (which stands for Science, Teacher support, Access, and Readiness) is intended to strengthen and support the educational landscapes in these cities by increasing access to STEM resources and opportunities for students most underrepresented in STEM college or career pathways. Please read the full press release here. Celebrating our Students Thanks to all who joined us for the Cambridge and Somerville Celebration at Google and at Center for Arts at the Armory! We had a great time celebrating with students and families, and appreciating their hard work during the school year. Special thanks to our students, alumni, and community members who contributed to the touching speeches and fantastic dances that made the evening so memorable. We appreciate our sponsors for making the event possible: Google, Biogen, William Blair, Cambridge Trust, John Moriarty & Associates, Rockland Trust, MIT, and Eastern Bank.  For more pictures, check out our Facebook page for pictures of the Cambridge and Somerville events.  Congratulations to our Seniors  Sending a big congratulations to all the Class of 2018 graduates! We were also thrilled that Enroot Cambridge Senior, Nidjee, was selected as a Cambridge Super Senior. She was selected for embodying "opportunity," one of CRLS's core values.  Meet our Summer Interns! Sofia, Daniela and Mirella will be supporting Enroot on a variety of projects this summer, from volunteer recruitment and marketing to curriculum development. We are so excited to have them join our team. Read more about them here. Enroot is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering immigrant youth to achieve academic, career, and personal success through inspiring out-of-school experiences.  Website Facebook Blog

The Philanthropy Connection names Enroot as a 2018 Grantee Organization

TPC members and guests greet the new class of grantees at our Grant Awards & All Member Meeting on May 31, 2018.

May 2018 Newsletter

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Dear Enroot family,  With just weeks left in both the academic and fiscal year, we're reflecting on a year that has been a mixture of trial and triumph. Throughout, our students remain resilient, our team committed and our mission alive. I’m thrilled to share all of our Seniors are graduating with a post secondary plan to guide their next steps. I'm so grateful for the continued support each of you provide to make this possible for Enroot students. Thank you. Finally, as Ramadan begins, we wish all those celebrating a blessed and peaceful Ramadan. Last week, 7 students were awarded the City of Cambridge scholarship and last night, Enroot students were awarded over $100,000 in scholarships at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School's Scholarship Evening. All students who applied received scholarships. This would not be possible without the work of our team of supporters and volunteers. Thank you for your continued support.  Student Workshops  Over April break, 24 Enroot students from Cambridge and Somerville visited Framingham State and Lesley University. Framingham students hosted Enroot at the College Planning center, sharing their experiences as First Generation students and as students of color at Framingham. Students participated in a college campus scavenger hunt and ate in the dining hall. On April 25, CRLS Student Diversity Coordinator Ed Byrne joined Enroot to give a workshop on LGBTQIA identities. On April 26, former long time Enroot Board member Faye Arrington led a seminar on public speaking in Somerville. Students took to the front of the class - after taking a deep, calming breath - to introduce themselves and share their strengths. They honed their pubic speaking skills by pitching new products.  Program Updates Weekly seminars included a field trip to Akamai, student check-ins, a community issues debate and internship presentations.  Tutoring: With the end of the school year on the horizon, students and tutors have been working hard submitting assignments, practicing concepts, and studying for the SAT. Tutoring pairs have done it all from crafting model neurons to coding to reading comprehension. Everyone has been working hard to get to the finish line. Mentoring: Soccer stars and novices alike took to the field for last week’s mentor-mentee sports night. Cloudy skies did not stop mentors and students from spending time together playing basketball, frisbee, or cheering on their friends on the field.    Post Secondary Planning: Enroot seniors attended the final post-secondary workshop of the year: "Transitioning to College: Be Proactive; Seek Support." They are ready to be their best advocates and seek out the support they will need.  Welcoming a new member to the team! Enroot is thrilled to welcome our new Director of Development and Strategic Initiatives, Dananai Morgan! If you would like to learn more about ways you can support Enroot’s work contact her here: dmorgan@enrooteducation.org or at (617) 674-0178. Want to help Enroot win $3,500? Go to this link and click recommend. We're counting on your support. Please share with all your friends! Recommend Enroot! News from Enroot's Board Enroot is excited to share that at our recent Annual Meeting Allyson Allen was voted to take over as Chair, and Enroot alumnus Tri Ho voted in as Secretary. Enroot is thrilled to have such a strong Executive Committee leading our Board. Volunteers raised $10,537 with 103 individual donations during our Volunteer Giving Campaign! Thanks to all of our volunteers who are a driving force for our fundraising efforts. A special thank you to our Board who provided a generous matching gift of $2100. Upcoming Enroot Events Students will have their end of year celebration events:   Cambridge: June 4th at Google Somerville: June 12th at Arts at the Armory   Many thanks to our generous event sponsors: Biogen, William Blair, John Moriarty & Associates, Rockland Trust, and MIT. Enroot is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering immigrant youth to achieve academic, career, and personal success through inspiring out-of-school experiences.  Website Facebook Blog

Enroot featured on Ellevation's Highest Aspirations Podcast

“How do we engage English Language Learners in community programs? What supports are effective in helping immigrant students thrive beyond the school walls? How might we partner with outside organizations to create mutually beneficial programs for communities and newcomers?”

Somerville Program Director Anna Leversee answers these questions and more on Ellevation’s Highest Aspirations Podcast. Click here to listen.

Somerville celebrates 30 years as a sanctuary city - The Boston Globe

Wade Chery, 15, rubbed his hands together for warmth as he stood with Wilson Sadowski, his 22-year-old mentor through the Enroot Education program.

Chery, who came to the area from Haiti in May, had attended Somerville High School and has since moved to Dorchester. He said his favorite aspect of the school was its Welcome Center.

“Everyone wants to help you,” said Chery. “If you don’t speak English, they give you a translator.”

Click here to read the article on the Boston Globe website.