New Haven Independent

At a press conference in a bright classroom at the Boys and Girls Club in the Hill, Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. announced grants for 14 community groups to expand the capacity of their youth programs.

Students from the Color of Words, who spent the summer collaborating on videos with the group Solar Youth, shook the mayor’s hand in thanks. (Click here for a related article.)

This summer, Suarez spent hours at a computer, editing video footage of a story about self-identity: “About being Puerto Rican” — 100 percent — when everyone thinks you’re Irish. Rahkiya Davis (pictured above at left), will be rejoining the program in the fall as it expands, with a $14,000 city grant, to reach more students.

The group, which trains other youth in digital media production, is gearing up for a final summer production on Sept. 12 at 5:30 p.m. at the New Haven Public Library on Elm Street. Click here for a past Independent story on the group.

“I want to thank you all,” said the mayor to the awardees. “Whatever we give, you guys leverage far beyond what we do.” The money comes from the general fund, explained the mayor. “You know, when we send the Bootfinder out to get tax dollars. So this is the Bootfinder at work.”

Read below for the city’s list of grantees:

Casa Otonal $14,950 Academic enrichment and fine arts classes for youth and their parents

St Francis Home for Children $10,000 Recreational and therapeutic activities for children of DCF involved families

Higher Heights 6,963 College prep and parent empowerment workshops

Solar Youth $10,000 After school and Saturdays - homework help, service learning projects, hiking, job & organizing training

Boys & Girls Club $15,000 Youth development and recreational programming

Logos Foundation Alpha Achievement Programs $9,450 Academic and character development

Farnam Neighborhood House $15,000 Basketball league for disengaged youth

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority $10,000 Development, Educational & Life Training for Adolescents

The Color of Words $12,000 Digital Media

Community Meditation $10,000 Conflict mediation training

Jeremiah Project $4,000 Year-round athletic leagues provided by college student mentors

Entrepreneurs NOW $10,000 After-school entrepreneurial and business character education

Easter Seals Goodwill Industries $11,500 Academic and Leadership Development

USAMF Learning Center $10,000 Resume & Cover Letter Writing, GED Prep and Word Processing for youth in after-school program