Nurtury Receives $10,000 Grant for Enriching Early Childhood Development
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Roxbury, MA September 17, 2019 – Nurtury, New England's first early education and care agency for Greater Boston's youngest children in need from birth to age five announced today that it has received a $10,000 Grant for Good from Eastern Bank, America’s oldest and largest mutual bank. The grant is part of a $1 million commitment Eastern has made to local nonprofit organizations strengthening options for children and families across Eastern’s New England footprint. The grant provided by Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation will support Nurtury’s Family Engagement Program by establishing kiosks at six Nurtury early learning centers in Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, and Cambridge. The kiosks will include tablets loaded with specialized tracking software for families to input data. Data gathered through the Kiosks will support Family Engagement staff efforts to provide referrals for services, identify and address barriers to accessing services, strengthen communication, and monitor family progress.
“Nurtury recognizes parents and caregivers as first teacher, breadwinner, and advocate. This grant allows us to create private spaces for families to complete the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) and make requests for resource referrals. The ASQ is a wonderful tool to help parents and caregivers answer questions teachers might have about how their child is learning and growing. The more we know about a child’s growth and development, the better we can support learning in the classroom and their future success!” said Mary Kay Leonard, Nurtury’s Interim CEO.
Persistent gaps in the quality of and access to early childhood development programs, as well as in parent engagement, are known to cause disparities in opportunities to succeed throughout life. Without engaging, safe, and stable environments during the first three years of life, children are likely to enter school already behind. Students who cannot read at grade level by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of school before high school graduation. And lacking a high school diploma significantly impacts future employment and earnings opportunities. Eastern is awarding grants to organizations focused on strengthening socioemotional and cognitive skills development among children in the communities it serves. Grants are intended to ensure children and their families have more equitable access to the resources needed early in life for healthy development, while funding a sector that receives a staggeringly small proportion of all philanthropy.
“Providing every child with an equal opportunity for a bright future is a basic right,” said Bob Rivers, Chair and CEO of Eastern Bank. “By supporting organizations that assist parents and caregivers and prepare children to be ready to learn and succeed, we are helping to create the foundation children need to thrive. On behalf of everyone at Eastern, we congratulate the grant recipients and thank them for their dedication to the children in our communities.”
As part of Eastern’s $1 million commitment to support enriching early childhood development, Nurtury is among 50 organizations that provide leading early childhood development programs across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island and are each receiving a $10,000 Grant for Good. These grants are focused on providing support in four critical areas: achieving early learning quality standards, strengthening parent engagement, supporting professional development for educators, and upgrading early learning facilities and supplies.
About Eastern Bank
Founded in 1818, Boston-based Eastern Bank is America’s oldest and largest mutual bank, with over $11 billion in assets and more than 115 locations serving communities in eastern Massachusetts, southern and coastal New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Eastern provides exceptional access to fairly priced banking, investment and insurance products and services for consumers and businesses of all sizes. Eastern Bank, which includes Eastern Wealth Management and Eastern Insurance, is known for its outspoken advocacy and community support that has exceeded more than $140 million in charitable giving since 1999. An inclusive company, Eastern employs 1,900+ deeply committed professionals who value relationships with their customers, colleagues, and communities. Join us for good at www.easternbank.com and follow Eastern on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
About Nurtury
Nurtury gives Greater Boston's youngest children in need, from birth to age five, the opportunity to reach their full potential by investing in school readiness, promoting healthy development and strengthening families. For over a century, Nurtury has been one of Boston's largest providers of early education and care, currently impacting over 1,200 children in the Greater Boston area. Learn more by visiting: www.nurturyboston.org.
MEDIA CONTACT
Contact: Jaye Smith
617.603.4666
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Nurtury Awarded $100,000 from Cummings Foundation Grant
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Boston, MA (June 7, 2019) – Nurtury is one of 100 local nonprofits to receive grants of $100,000 each through Cummings Foundation’s “$100K for 100” program. Nurtury gives Greater Boston's youngest children in need, from birth to age five, the opportunity to reach their full potential by investing in school readiness, promoting healthy development and strengthening families.
Representing Nurtury, Chief Advancement Officer, Jaye Smith and Vice President of Programs, Carol Campbell joined approximately 300 other guests at a reception at TradeCenter 128 in Woburn to celebrate the $10 million infusion into Greater Boston’s nonprofit sector. With the conclusion of this grant cycle, Cummings Foundation has now awarded more than $260 million to Greater Boston nonprofits alone.
“Sustaining our workforce is a critical component to early education and care. This grant will help us to fully launch our workforce strategy which includes hiring a Professional Development Specialist,” said Mary Kay Leonard, Nurtury’s Interim CEO.
With funding from the Cummings Foundation, Nurtury will address the existing early education workforce crisis by preparing teachers with the skills they need to provide a high-quality learning experience; supporting educators in the workforce with a positive and empowering place of employment; and helping to build the economic security of the early education workforce through professional development and increased compensation.
The $100K for 100 program supports nonprofits that are based in and primarily serve Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties. Through this place-based initiative, Cummings Foundation aims to give back in the area where it owns commercial buildings, all of which are managed, at no cost to the Foundation, by its affiliate Cummings Properties. Founded in 1970 by Bill Cummings, the Woburn-based commercial real estate firm leases and manages 10 million square feet of space, the majority of which exclusively benefits the Foundation.
“By having such a local focus, we aim to make a meaningful positive difference in the communities where our colleagues and leasing clients live and work,” said Joel Swets, Cummings Foundation’s executive director. “We are most grateful for the nonprofit organizations that assist and empower our neighbors, and we are proud to support their efforts.”
This year’s diverse group of grant recipients represents a wide variety of causes, including homelessness prevention, affordable housing, education, violence prevention, and food insecurity. Most of the grant will be paid over two to five years. The complete list of grant winners is available at www.CummingsFoundation.org.
Cummings Foundation announced an additional $15 million in early May through its Sustaining Grants program. Through these awards, 50 local nonprofits will receive ongoing funding of $20,000 - $50,000 for 10 years.
The history behind Cummings Properties and Cummings Foundation is detailed in Bill Cummings’ selfwritten memoir, “Starting Small and Making It Big: An Entrepreneur’s Journey to Billion-Dollar Philanthropist.” It is available on Amazon or cummings.com/book.
ABOUT NURTURY
Nurtury gives Greater Boston's youngest children in need, from birth to age five, the opportunity to reach their full potential by investing in school readiness, promoting healthy development and strengthening families. For over a century, Nurtury has been one of Boston's largest providers of early education and care, currently impacting over 1,200 children in the Greater Boston area. Learn more by visiting: www.nurturyboston.org.
ABOUT CUMMINGS FOUNDATION
Woburn-based Cummings Foundation, Inc. was established in 1986 by Joyce and Bill Cummings. The Foundation directly operates its own charitable subsidiaries, including New Horizons retirement communities in Marlborough and Woburn. Its largest single commitment to date has been to Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Additional information is available at www.CummingsFoundation.org.
Nurtury Announces Mary Kay Leonard as Interim Chief Executive Officer
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Leonard brings more than three decades of non-profit, public and private sector experience to the organization
Jamaica Plain, MA (June 6, 2018) – Nurtury, New England’s first early childhood care center and preschool, today announced that Mary Kay Leonard has been appointed interim Chief Executive Officer. She will succeed Wayne Ysaguirre, who has served as CEO of Nurtury for the past 10 years.
Leonard, who has served in the non-profit, public and private sector for more than 30 years, will lead Nurtury, providing strategic counsel and overall planning and management for the organization. She will also play a pivotal role in the search for Nurtury’s next CEO.
“Mary Kay’s leadership skills and deep expertise in the non-profit sector will be invaluable to Nurtury while she serves as interim CEO,” said Wayne Ysaguirre. “Mary Kay will help ensure Nurtury maintains its strong position for continued growth and she has always been an advocate of Nurtury’s mission to helping children reach their full potential.”
Mary Kay began her career in state government as Commissioner of the Massachusetts Office for Children which regulated more than 12,000 child and youth service programs. She helped to shape public policy for state agencies as Chief Counsel to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Human Services. Prior to creating her own consulting practice focused on helping companies during times of change, Leonard served as President and CEO of the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, a national non-profit organization providing research and consultation to foundations, businesses, and governments. She also had nearly a decade of experience serving as Chief Operating Officer and Interim CEO of the United Way serving Boston as well as the leader of Investor Relations for United Way Worldwide.
“I’m honored to serve as interim CEO of Nurtury,” said Mary Kay Leonard. “I have always had a deep commitment to helping children reach their potential and I’m so proud to join Nurtury – an organization whose mission and values are helping our youngest children build a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning.”
Mary Kay Leonard will begin her role as interim CEO on July 2 and will serve the organization until the new CEO of Nurtury has been selected.
About Nurtury
Nurtury is a pioneer in early childhood education and has played an integral role during its 140-year history in shaping public early education policy to raise standards in the field of education nationally and in New England. Nurtury’s mission is to help Greater Boston’s youngest children reach their full potential by investing in school readiness, promoting healthy development, and strengthening families.
Media Contact
Eva Pereira for Nurtury
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(781) 559-0424
Nurtury Announces CEO Transition Plan and Embraces Opportunity for New Leadership
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CEO transition will bring new leadership perspective and keep Nurtury well-positioned for future growth
Boston, Massachusetts (May 29, 2018) – Nurtury, New England’s first early childhood care center and preschool in New England, today announced that Wayne Ysaguirre will be stepping down as CEO effective June 29, 2018, culminating a nearly 30-year career with the organization.
“We deeply appreciate all of Wayne’s contributions to Nurtury over nearly 30 years, his steadfastness of purpose, his expansive vision, and his commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of the children Nurtury serves each and every day,” said Gayle Slattery, Chair of Nurtury's Board of Directors. “We wish him the best and know that he will continue to make a lasting impact on children and their families in his future endeavors.”
As CEO of Nurtury for the past 10 years, Wayne has played an integral role in giving thousands of Greater Boston’s youngest children the opportunity to reach their full potential. Under his leadership, Nurtury has advanced as an early childhood education organization and his forward-thinking vision has brought to life innovative approaches to helping children learn and grow.
“After nearly 30 years of being part of the Nurtury family, it’s with admiration and respect that I step down as CEO,” said Mr. Ysaguirre. “When I became CEO, I took on the responsibility of creating a vision that would help Nurtury evolve as an organization. We’ve done this in so many ways, like with our state- of-the-art Learning Lab – and I believe that now is the right time for a leadership transition that will bring fresh perspective and keep Nurtury thriving.”
The Nurtury Board of Directors is taking a thoughtful and thorough approach in its search to find the best candidate to serve as Nurtury’s next CEO. As part of this effort, it has hired an external firm to provide assistance with the CEO search. Mr. Ysaguirre will be involved in the process and will help to ensure a smooth transition in leadership.
While Mr. Ysaguirre is leaving Nurtury, he plans to pursue other opportunities to advocate for early education and to influence deeper systemic change and improve outcomes for children, families and communities.
About Nurtury
Nurtury is a pioneer in early childhood education and has played an integral role during its 140-year history in shaping public early education policy to raise standards in the field of education nationally and in New England. Nurtury’s mission is to help Greater Boston’s youngest children reach their full potential by investing in school readiness, promoting healthy development, and strengthening families.
Media Contact
Eva Pereira, for Nurtury
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(781) 559-0424
Nurtury Announces $255,000 in New Grants and Celebrates 140 Years of Serving Children in Greater Boston with “Night for Nurtury” Annual Fundraiser
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Honors United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley CEO Michael Durkin as 2018 Nurturer of the Year as Part of 140th Celebration
Boston, Massachusetts (May 10, 2018) – Nurtury, New England’s first early childhood care center and preschool in New England, is celebrating its 140th anniversary with the announcement of $255,000 in new grants . The grants have been awarded by The Mabel Louise Riley Foundation, The Liberty Mutual Foundation, Life Science Cares, American Tower and The Family Nurturing Center and the Boston Family Engagement Network and will support the following programs:
- The Mabel Louise Riley Foundation: a $100,000 grant will support Nurtury’s flagship center – the Nurtury Learning Lab.
- The Liberty Mutual Foundation: an $80,000 grant will support the Family Engagement for School Success program.
- Life Science Cares: a $10,000 grant will help purchase laptops for each of Nurtury’s 18 preschool classrooms to give students access to STEM education.
- American Tower: a $10,000 grant will fund technology system upgrades that support enrollment, attendance, nutrition, finance and child screening statistics.
- The Family Nurturing Center and the Boston Family Engagement Network (CFCE): a $55,000 grant will provide family support services for underserved populations.
The grants were announced during Nurtury’s annual “Night for Nurtury” fundraiser which took place on May 9 and celebrated the organization’s 140th year with a community of caregivers, educators and supporters who share Nurtury’s commitment to helping children 0 – 5 years old reach their full potential.
During the event, Nurtury also presented the Nurturer of the Year Award, which is an award given to an individual who applies ingenuity, compassion, and intellect to addressing and mitigating the impact of the challenges that affect children and their families. This year, Nurtury honored its most longstanding partner with the award – Michael Durkin, CEO of United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley.
Under Mr. Durkin’s leadership, United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley has been a strong supporter of Nurtury’s mission to help Greater Boston’s youngest children reach their full potential by investing in school readiness, promoting healthy development, and strengthening families.
“We’re so excited to honor Mr. Durkin for his unwavering commitment to supporting underserved children and their families,” said Wayne Ysaguirre, CEO of Nurtury. “As we celebrate our 140th year, it only seems appropriate that we reflect on the partners that have been with us for the long haul. For the past 50 years, the United Way has been by our side, advocating for the work we do each and every day, to help ensure the children we serve build a strong educational foundation to prepare them for a lifetime of learning.”
For more than 50 years, the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley has been an avid supporter during significant milestones in Nurtury’s history and beyond. In 2014, the United Way played a critical role as a lead grant contributor that helped Nurtury’s state-of-the-art Learning Lab become a reality.
Nurtury and the United Way are also mutually invested in finding ways to collaborate to help advance early childhood education and programming in Boston. Through United Way’s groundbreaking initiative – DRIVE – Nurtury and United Way work closely to achieve universal child development screening for young children. Both organizations are also involved in Thrive in Five, Boston’s citywide movement to ensure children from families of all races, ethnicity, incomes and abilities have the opportunities and support they need to succeed in school and in life.
About Nurtury
Nurtury is a pioneer in early childhood education and has played an integral role during its 140-year history in shaping public early education policy to raise standards in the field of education nationally and in New England. Nurtury’s mission is to help Greater Boston’s youngest children reach their full potential by investing in school readiness, promoting healthy development, and strengthening families.
Media Contact
Eva Pereira, for Nurtury
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
781-559-0424