HAMDEN, CT — July 29, 2025 — Arts for Learning CT (AFLCT) is proud to announce it has received a $5,000 grant from the SBM Charitable Foundation through its We’re Pulling for You grant program. This funding will directly support “Express Yourself,” a series of afterschool arts learning programs offered in partnership with Manchester Early Learning Centers (MELC) for the 2025-26 school year.
Through this initiative, AFLCT Teaching Artists will lead afterschool workshops designed to foster creativity, self-expression, and social-emotional learning for elementary students at Verplanck, Waddell, and Keeney schools in Manchester, CT. The programs are tailored to support the unique needs of each school community while providing consistent access to high-quality arts education.
“We’re deeply grateful to the SBM Charitable Foundation for its investment in creative learning,” said John-Michael Parker, Executive Director of Arts for Learning Connecticut. “With their support, we’re able to bring joyful, impactful arts experiences to students who benefit tremendously from the connection, expression, and confidence the arts provide.”
The “Express Yourself” program is part of AFLCT’s broader commitment to equity in education and to ensuring that all students, regardless of background, have access to culturally responsive, enriching arts learning opportunities.
To learn more about the SBM Charitable Foundation and its philanthropic efforts, visit www.sbmfoundation.org.