Brick & Beam Society awards $50,000 to the Congolese Community of Maine

The Brick and Beam Society is an affinity group of United Way of Greater Portland

On October 27, 2016, the Brick and Beam Society Impact Investing Committee (IIC) unanimously decided to award $50,000 to the Congolese Community of Maine (CoCo Maine) for their Dual Generation Program for Early Childhood Education, which will offer English language classes, family literacy initiatives, parenting activities and outreach to parents and children ages 2-5. Their goal is to prepare children and their families for a better transition to kindergarten by providing early opportunities for learning English.

This grant was awarded following a grant process that saw thirteen applicants, three of which were asked to present at Brick and Beam’s Community Night—attended by approximately 75 Brick and Beam and community members—at the Portland House of Music. The two other finalists were The Opportunity Alliance’s Birth to Five Screening Program and Youth and Family Outreach’s Families Matter Program. In addition to the $50,000, the Brick and Beam Society has committed to providing member volunteer hours to assist in the success of CoCo Maine’s Dual Generation program.

For more information on the Brick and Beam Society, visit www.brickandbeam.org.