Summer youth programs are a vital way for children to learn new skills, build relationships with caring adults and peers, and grow academically, socially, and emotionally. This summer, United Way's Summer Youth Fund invested $100,000 in 10 grants to local youth programs to help make summer programming accessible to families with limited incomes so that every child can have safe, engaging, and enriching experiences during the summer.
ARTE Inc. is one of the summer programs we supported this year and through their multi-age program they provide chess lessons, field trips, arts and crafts, and more.
One thing that makes ARTE's summer program stand out is that it offers a bilingual experience - teachers, counselors, and instructors were able to connect and communicate with students in both English and Spanish. That matters because accessibility is about more than whether a program has an open seat. It is also about whether young people feel understood, whether they can build trusted relationships with the adults around them, and whether their families can engage comfortably with the people caring for and supporting their children.
"Programs like this are essential for helping children grow and enabling parents to meet their work schedules without worrying about their kids; my son loves this program, and so do we." - New Haven Parent
ARTE’s story reminds us that the impact of the Summer Youth Fund is both broad and deeply personal. Across five communities, United Way invested in grassroots organizations creating opportunities for young people. At ARTE, that investment became a bilingual, culturally responsive space where children could learn, build relationships, and feel a sense of belonging.
