Segue Scholars Raise $500 for Central Falls Jenks Park Project

CENTRAL FALLS, RI – Civic minded students from the Segue Institute for Learning make history as they present a $500 check this Monday that helped fund the Jenks Park Project to clean up historic Jenks Park, a well-known downtown spot the mayor refers to fondly as “our Central Park.”

This is the first time in Rhode Island a city has tried – and succeeded – to fund a project through solely crowd-funding.

Monies were raised by the students during a “dress down” day at school.  According to the Mayor’s Office, the student contribution was instrumental in meeting the project goal now fully funded at $10,044 as of December 5.

On hand for the check presentation will be Mayor James Diossa, Stephen Larrick, Director of Planning and Economic Development, and Joshua Giraldo, Director of Parks and Recreation in Council Chambers. They will be joined by Representative Agostinho F. Silva who provided a legislative grant of $1,500 for the park project.

The project money will be used to hire the Steel Yard, a local nonprofit, to create five new trash and recycling containers that would double as public art in the park. They will replace the cheap, aging, plastic trash cans now used, which frequently tip over, spilling garbage across a swath of green space considered one of the city’s gems.

“The culture of Segue embodies taking responsibility for education, improving quality of life and encouraging civic engagement,” said Angelo Garcia, Founder/Head of School. “Our young students whole-heartedly embrace the chance to make positive change in the community.”

About Segue Institute for Learning:

Founded in 2006 and opened in 2009, Segue Institute for Learning features high academic rigor, small class sizes, individualized attention, strong board and parental involvement, and intensive community partnerships.  The school was conceived by people who grew up, currently reside in, or have significant ties to the Central Falls community. Segue recognizes its students as “AT PROMISE” versus being considered “AT RISK”.

Segue, which has just earned its five-year charter renewal and was selected as the 2013-2014 RIASCD Whole Child Recognition School, helps students achieve academic excellence and be better prepared for high school, college, and the work force.

Follow Segue at www.facebook.com/SegueIFL and on Twitter @SegueIFL.

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