…a first-grader at the Beachmont School is on the waiting list for a state voucher.  Her mom pays for daycare for her younger child and could not afford after school for her 6-year-old.  CASTLES enabled the mother to continue to work and this first-grader loves the program.

…two children who are on the waiting list for vouchers are in “self care” while their mom is at work.  Their father is in jail. One child, a boy, will benefit by participating in enrichment classes that will improve his self-esteem.

…the kitchen at the Garfield School was restored.  Funds provided equipment needed for cooking classes, and will be used by students in the “21st Century” after-school program and the summer program, serving a total of 195 students.

…a single mom has two children who need to attend after-school at the Beachmont School, and cannot afford to pay for both.  CASTLES supplied the funds for both children to attend.  This family is also on a waitlist for a state voucher.

…a second-grade student at the Lincoln School lives with her grandmother since her mother’s death last year.  She enjoys engaging with other children, but her grandmother has a difficult time providing the funds.  She will attend after-school three days a week, and “Kids Night Out” once per month, participating in cooking, arts and crafts, and ceramics.

…two students at the Paul Revere School were recently cut back from five days to two days in the after-school program, and the children stayed with a non-English speaking grandparent when not in the program.  Their academics suffered.  CASTLES provided funding to allow them to attend five days per week, as their mother attempts to finish her college education.

…a student at the Whelan School has thrived since he started after-school.  His social skills, his English, and his grades improved.  His mom is a single working mom who cannot afford to send him to after-school, and has been on the waiting list for a voucher for a long time. 

…a student who was attending under a state voucher was doing well academically and socially.  He played sports and participated in “curriculum plus”.  His mom received a slight increase in salary, and the voucher was taken away.  She cannot afford to pay and this child would lose the advances he has made in the program.  CASTLES helped by funding him.

…three new students from the Paul Revere School were funded by CASTLES.  Their families are low income and non-English speaking, and the children benefit by the academic and family support of the after-school program.