Santa Maria Community Services Expands Impact with $30,000 Grant from Greater Cincinnati Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2024

CONTACT:                                                                
Nune Sargsyan                                                         
Santa Maria Community Services, Inc.
Nune.Sargsyan@SantaMaria-Cincy.org
(513) 557-7267

Santa Maria Community Services Expands Impact with $30,000 Grant from Greater Cincinnati Foundation for its Promoting Our Preschoolers Program

CINCINNATI, OH – Santa Maria Community Services, Inc. is pleased to announce that it received a $30,000 grant from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) for its Promoting Our Preschoolers (POP) program. POP aims to address academic inequity in kindergarteners within the Price Hill community by tackling the disparities in education access faced by individuals of color and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

POP is a comprehensive program that equips children with the skills and support necessary for a successful transition to kindergarten and continued academic achievement. It provides home-based services to families with preschool-aged children, emphasizing early child development. The program offers a range of services, including regular home visits, ‘parents as teachers’ curriculum, resources and support for parenting, education, preschool experiences, and kindergarten readiness. Additionally, parents and caregivers participate in group meetings and activities, developmental screenings for their child's physical, language, and thinking skills, and receive advocacy and referrals. The program also fosters positive relationships between families and their child's healthcare provider.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Greater Cincinnati Foundation for their ongoing support of the Promoting Our Preschoolers program,” said H.A. Musser, Jr., President and CEO of Santa Maria Community Services. “This grant will significantly enhance our ability to ensure that every child in our community is prepared for educational success from the very start.”
With this grant from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Santa Maria Community Services will be able to expand the reach and impact of the POP program, providing even more families in Price Hill with the vital resources and tools they need for their child's educational journey.

Santa Maria Community Services is committed to leveling the playing field and creating equitable educational opportunities for all children. The collaboration with Greater Cincinnati Foundation marks an important milestone in its ongoing efforts to bridge the gap in academic success and empower families in the Price Hill community.