Our philanthropic venture was founded in 2020 at the height of COVID-19, and was built upon three key pillars, sports, health, and education. We initially began our program with baseball but over the past three years we have become more focused on the education and wellness side of our program. As with most ventures of this kind, we measure outcomes via key statistics where we can quantify our progress and more importantly the progress of the children we serve. While numbers are important, the joy it brings to see these children develop their athletic prowess, make strides in educational improvement, all coupled with courtesy and manners is truly fulfilling. If we could measure ‘Smiles’ then those numbers would certainly rank the highest.
Exiting the pandemic has allowed us the opportunity to grow the number of children we serve through our partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties (BGCSDC). At our inception we had 60 children participating in our program, by this past summer we supported up to 130 children and look to grow that to 200 this coming fiscal year.
While this growth is a source of pride, it is not our core focus. Our objective is to provide a quality program that focuses on the wellbeing of the entire individual and thus provides enrichment opportunities beyond just physical and mental wellbeing. In addition to sports and health, we provide an Academic Enrichment Program to help all participants with their homework and studies, and in the past year we have provided 70 tech readers to the children. This holistic approach to our program on the overall wellbeing of the children allows us to continue to adapt and provide enrichment focused on health, academic success, mental health, and financial literacy.
In support of this approach, in 2021 we partnered with the Center for Healing and Justice through Sport (CHJS) who, through the power of neuroscience and the inherent nature of sport, provide training to better understand trauma and support creative and accessible solutions to some of society’s biggest issues. All Newtown Connection and NEP staff have been provided with CHJS training and we have our own series of videos to support continued learning
Here is a sample of our diverse programs focused on academic enrichment, life-skills, sports, and overall wellbeing:
Bike Rodeo – We partnered with local cycling professionals who have developed a program that is both educational and physical. During the event every child is immersed in the following:
- The importance of a fitted bike helmet
- Bike fitting & repairs
- Basic bike handling skills
- Rules of the road
- Decision making with complexity
- Learning while playing
- Upon graduation EVERY child received a new bike and a lock
Little Medical School – Here we teach the children about the body through the eyes of a doctor, nurse, and veterinarian:
- Intro to medicine- What is in the Doctor’s office?
- All about the heart
- Anatomy
- All about bones
- First Aid & Patient Assessments
- Surgical Skills
During this program the children wear lab coats and were each provided with their own stethoscope and first-aid kit. Upon graduation they all received a framed certificate of completion. Our hope is that this program will motivate the children who were inspired by the experience to work and one day, enter a career in medicine.
Financial Literacy Classes – We partnered with two local / national banks to provide Financial Literacy training to empower kids with essential money skills for the future.
Chess Club – Led by a Grandmaster, the game of chess provides the kids with many benefits, which include improved concentration and memory, enhanced math skills and its fostering of logic, creativity, and critical thinking, all while having fun.
Marine Science School – Supported by Minorites In Shark Science (MISS) we teach the kids how we can use the ocean to learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM). Participants get to experience a broad range of STEM fields including Chemistry, Environmental Science and Engineering.
Robotics Program – Here, the kids learn coding fundamentals to create cool projects, from building games to controlling robots, with new challenges every week to spark their creativity and excitement.
Safety Awareness Program – In partnership with EMS, Firefighters and Police Officers, the kids learn about their roles and how do they work together to keep them safe. This program includes a tour of an ambulance and fire engine and building their own escape plan in case of an emergency.
Sports Programming – Baseball / Golf / Basketball – By mastering skills and overcoming challenges, sports can help boost children’s self-confidence and foster a sense of accomplishment. Plus, regular physical activity has been linked to improved mental health and emotional wellbeing.
We are motivated and are more determined than ever to provide the kids from the Newtown Community the best opportunity possible to succeed in life.
Thank you for your interest in Newtown Connection
Vince Northfield & Ian Desmond
Co-Founders, Newtown Connection
