In an impactful move aimed at supporting the youth in its community, Cambridge Savings Bank (CSB) has donated $25,000 to the Chesterbrook Community Foundation. This generous contribution will revitalize the Chesterbrook Community Center, directly positively impacting around 300 families that benefit from its services. This facility, situated in the low-income housing area of Chesterbrook Gardens in Waltham, Massachusetts, offers crucial academic support and afterschool enrichment aimed at underprivileged youth.

The Chesterbrook Community Center is an essential resource for the families living in Chesterbrook Gardens, providing children and teens with safe, structured programs outside of school hours. These programs include mentoring by college students who volunteer their time, academic tutoring, and a variety of enrichment activities such as arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor games, computer access, and more. This initiative not only helps in keeping the children engaged but also securely on track with their education.

The newly announced funding will mainly be directed towards upgrading the outdoor facilities of the Center. This renovation is a much-needed development since the Center has not seen a significant refurbishment since its inception in 2008. The improved facility will offer a safer and more functional environment for the children, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the programs provided.

John Casassa, President of the Board of Directors at the Chesterbrook Community Foundation, expressed gratitude for CSB’s contribution, noting that the renovation marks a critical upgrade for the facility that will strengthen their ability to better serve the community. The support from CSB forms part of a continuing relationship with the Foundation, which has included previous donations like a $5,000 grant in 2022 used for internal enhancements.

Waltham’s Mayor, Jeannette A. McCarthy, also acknowledged CSB’s ongoing commitment to the community, highlighting the positive ripple effect this kind of support has on local lives. CSB’s engagement with community projects such as this is not isolated; the bank has a robust history of backing local programs. Their focus particularly on non-profit and educational initiatives underscores a commitment to fostering community welfare and education at a grassroots level.

Cambridge Savings Bank, established as one of Massachusetts’s largest community banks, emphasizes the role of financial institutions in supporting community development. They aim to leverage their resources to facilitate not just economic, but also social growth in the areas they serve. This latest support for the Chesterbrook Community Center is part of a broader strategy that includes grants, scholarships, and other financial education and support initiatives.

The Chesterbrook Community Foundation, with its dual community centers in the Chesterbrook Gardens and Dana Court public housing developments, operates beyond the typical scope of aid by nurturing its youth’s educational and social development. In assisting these centers, CSB reinforces an educational infrastructure that promises to empower the next generation of residents and leaders in Waltham.

With a continued commitment to community investment, Cambridge Savings Bank is setting an example of how corporations can genuinely contribute to societal enhancement and uplift the lives of the underprivileged, one thoughtful act at a time.