April 30, 2021

For Immediate Release 

WATERTOWN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION TO AWARD 18 INTERNSHIP STIPENDS FOR WATERTOWN HIGH SCHOOLERS- CALL FOR APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) announces two 2021 grant programs to support high school students in Watertown.  “In 2015, when the Watertown Community Foundation and the Watertown High School Guidance Department launched this unique summer internship program for our town’s high school-age students, we had no idea how quickly it would grow!” said Lora Sabin, WCF Board Member and Program Co-Creator. “From just five students in 2015, the high school internship program will grow to a record eighteen student internships available this year.”

WCF’s Summer Internship Program: Watertown students find an internship that can provide them with meaningful work experience. They commit to working 120 hours over the course of the summer and are paid a $1,000 stipend at the end of the work experience. “The program is designed to offer work experience and skills development, provide an opportunity to explore a prospective career path, increase responsibility, and enhance confidence.  Students have worked in surgical and veterinary offices, homeless aid agencies, youth camps and children’s theater programs.”  added Adrienne Eaton, WHS Lead Guidance Counselor and Program Co-Creator.

WCF’s Student Board Internship: This year for the first time, there will be a special academic year internship for two high school students to become Student Board Interns of the Watertown Community Foundation. The pilot program will partner with Watertown High School (WHS) to select up to two students from the sophomore or junior classes to serve one-year terms as WCF Student Board interns. In this position, students will participate in a range of activities, but will not be voting board members. Each intern will receive a $1,000 stipend upon successful completion of the intern positions and each intern will have a board mentor from one of the foundation board committees they join.

The application deadline for both grant programs has been extended to June 17, 2021.  We encourage all interested students to contact: adrienne.eaton@watertown.k12.ma.us

For information about grant programs go to www.watertownfoundation.org.  Questions: jan.singer@watertownfoundation.org

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The Watertown Community Foundation, a public, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, works to build and sustain a vibrant, close-knit community in Watertown – now, and for future generations. To accomplish this, WCF raises funds from individuals, families, businesses, and foundations; awards grants to non-profits and community projects; and builds networks of donors, grantees, program participants, and stakeholders.

Since its inception in 2003, WCF has awarded over $1,400,000 in grants to programs and organizations serving Watertown. 

 WCF Board of Directors: David Siegel and Darshna Varia, Co-Presidents; Robert Airasian; Albrik Avanessian; Emily Barclay; Jennifer Davis; Eleanor Donato; William B. Ford; Heather Leary; Mary Ann Mulligan; Antonia O’Hara; Anthony Paolillo; Maria Panaggio-Phillips; Christine Parker; Lora Sabin; Robert Shay; Curtis Teixeira; Elaina Themistos; Lauren Coughlin Unsworth; and Kathryn White.