|
|
SPARCS
(Student Planned And Run Community Service)
SPARCS is a program designed to encourage middle
and high school students to participate in
community service projects. SPARCS enables
students to create their own community service
projects with guidance from United Way of North
Essex. This innovative program targets students
in public and private schools in the North Essex
area.
Students can apply for
grants either as individuals or a group. Each
project is eligible for up to $1,000.00 in
funding. Projects must benefit residents of the
North Essex community and should be completed by
the end of the school year.
Students will not only
design and run the community service projects,
they will award the grants as well. The SPARCS
Board is a group of high school students drawn
from the public and private schools of the North
Essex areas. SPARCS Board members must resident
in the North Essex area.
Example projects funded over the
last several years:
- Peanut
Butter & Jelly Club, a project of Livingston
High School students, was awarded $419 to
make and deliver sandwiches to homeless
shelters
- Golden
Smiles, a project of Montclair Kimberley
Academy (High school and elementary school
participants), received $1600 ( over 3
years) to decorate teddy bears and make
cards for long term pediatric patients at
area hospitals
- Turtle
Garden, a project of middle school Girl
Scouts in Caldwell, received $200 to create
a garden in the newly refurbished Grover
Cleveland Park
- Children's
Theatre, a project of Montclair High's
School of Visual and Performing Arts,
received $600 for sets and costumes for a
children's play that was performed for low
income pre-school students as well as the
general public
- Caldwell
Library, a senior Girl Scout project,
received $350 to help preserve historical
photographs in the Caldwell Library
- School
Care/Child Care, a project of Glenfield
Middle School (Montclair) students, received
$1000 for a literacy program. Middle school
children created and read original stories
and read with preschoolers on a weekly basis
- Seniors to
the Rescue, a project of Verona teens,
received $200 to develop a first aid/CPR
course for senior citizens
- Holiday
Dinner, a project of Montclair High School
teens, was awarded $250 to host a holiday
dinner for the homeless
- Senior
Citizens Dance, a project of the Cedar Grove
High Key club, received $500 for the Senior
(Citizens) Prom
- Senior Teen
Garden, a project of the West Essex High Key
club, received $480 to develop a flower and
vegetable garden at an assisted living
center
If you have any questions call United Way office
(973) 746-4040 or email
Karin Nelson |
