Since 1996, the Duhamel Education Initiative (DEI) has been committed to making a positive impact on Somerville Public Schools students. Their work honors the late Mr. Paul Duhamel by carrying on his work of dropout prevention and helping the disenfranchised. After the passing of their friend and colleague, Mr. Duhamel, who was a clergyman, community activist and member of the Somerville School Committee, a champion of the disenfranchised, and a kind and gentle man, seven friends founded the DEI in his honor.

One of the ways in which DEI supports Somerville students is through annual mini-grant awards of up to $1,000 for projects that encourage students to “view school and education in a positive way through creative engagement.” DEI hosts fundraising events throughout the year to support their scholarship program including an annual Fall Fundraising Dinner and a Pancake Breakfast in early spring. This year, DEI awarded the following mini grants for projects at schools throughout the district:

• Strongwater Farm Therapy Equestrian (Doneghey, Next Wave/Full Circle)
• My Rock (Artavia, West Somerville Neighborhood School)
• Path Program (Burbridge, Somerville High School)
• Improving Efficacy for Struggling Students (Alter, Somerville High School)
• Community Garden (Serino and Hazard, Next Wave/Full Circle)
• Young Scientists in Action (Seara-Galvez, Winter Hill Community Innovation School)
• Cooking, Culture, and Costumes (Berkowitz, Kennedy School)
• Bike to School (Robichaux, Next Wave/Full Circle)
• Meeting Diverse Needs through Flexible Seating (Rodriguez, Argenziano School)
• Book Bags for Achievement (Allen and Martinez, East Somerville Community School).

We’re thankful for DEI’s partnership and commitment to Somerville Public Schools students. Learn more about DEI at https://www.duhameleducationinitiative.org/.