PHOTO: Children who enjoyed their first year of camp last summer are now eligible for a year two retention grant to return to camp again. Some of these smiling faces at Camp Solomon Schecter will likely be back this summer. See story below.

Give preschoolers the Right Start

Recognizing the importance of early Jewish experiences, the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland offers Right Start Grants for families choosing Jewish preschool for the first time. The Greater Portland area has six Jewish preschools whose students are eligible for the grants. (See Preschool Roundup.)
“Jewish preschools are often the first step in a family’s Jewish journey, and we are so lucky to have an incredibly strong group of Jewish preschool programs in our community where a child and their family can become a part of the Jewish community in a safe and loving manner,” says Rachel Nelson, JFGP Director of Educational Initiatives.
Nelson is available to meet with any family looking into Jewish early childhood education. Contact her at 503-892-7415 or rachel@jewishportland.org.
Apply for a grant at jewishportland.org/rightstart.

One Happy Camper expands with second-year grants

One Happy Camper grants that are funded locally by the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland have expanded to include grants to campers returning for a second year.
Previously, campers were eligible for a grant of up to $1,000 for their first summer attending a Jewish overnight camp. Now, the Portland Federation has become the 10th community to add grants of up to $500 for returning campers. First-year grants are available from 51 communities.
Last year, 78 campers received first-year grants to 12 camps and are now eligible for a second-year grant. Second-year grants will be awarded on a first-come basis.
“The Jewish Federation is proud to support families on their Jewish journeys,” says Rachel Nelson, JFGP Director of Educational Initiatives & Associate Director of Community Relations. “We are so excited to be able to engage more families in Jewish identity building, and we see camps as a big part of that process.”
Second-year grants are $500 for camps 19 days or longer and $350 for camps of 12 to 18 days.
onehappycamper.org

Find these and other programs to build Jewish identity: jewishportland.org/buildingblocks.