Theresa Okokon Selected for 2023 Foundation Trust Black Writer Fellowship

Photo of a smiling Black woman in front of foliage

Theresa Okokon is the 2023 Foundation Trust Black Writer Fellowship recipient Boston-based writer and storyteller Theresa Okokon has been awarded the 2023 Foundation Trust Black Writer Fellowship at Follow Your Art Community Studios in Melrose. Her debut essay collection The Okokon Family Orchestra is slated to launch later this year.   Okokon, originally from Wisconsin,…

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Foundation Trust Announces 2023 Grant Cycle

The Foundation Trust is pleased to announce that it is currently accepting Letters of Inquiry for its 2023 Partnership Grant program.   Interested nonprofit organizations and municipal-run programs in the communities of Melrose and Revere are invited to propose innovative programming, to be designed and/or implemented in partnership with the Foundation Trust, in one or…

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Shredded Beauty: Transforming Trauma Through Fashion

Several looks created by designer Stephanie Couchell graced the stage at the Greater Boston Stage Company For one night only, the stage at the Greater Boston Stage Company transformed into a captivating display of ten gowns, created by local designer Stephanie Couchell. Couchell, a graduate of the School of Fashion Design, Boston, is a recipient…

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Upcoming Event on May 25: The Complexity of Racial Trauma

Details for a speaking event with image of a seated Black woman

2022 Foundation Trust Speaker Series Launch The Foundation Trust is thrilled to kick off its 2022 Speaker Series with a community conversation with Dr. Nancy Nealious, Psy.D. In partnership with the Melrose Human Rights Commission, this talk will explore the complexity of racial trauma and what it means for individuals and communities.   The event…

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Ukrainian-Born Pianist Receives Support from the Foundation Trust

Pianist Liana Paniyeva

Liana Paniyeva, a classical pianist originally from Ukraine, recently connected with the Foundation Trust. Liana is a 2022 recipient of Foundation Trust Emergency Medical Support, a small gift intended to lessen the burden of unexpected medical procedures. Our interview for this article took place shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine began; Liana’s family, including…

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Celebrating the 2021 Foundation Trust Emerging Artist

2021 Emerging Artist Giselle Bonilla at her show (Photo by Tara Vocino) The Foundation Trust recently hosted a gallery show to celebrate the work of the second Foundation Trust Emerging Artist Fellowship at Follow Your Art Community Studios in Melrose, MA.   Giselle Bonilla with Foundation Trust Executive Director Dr. Joseph Spinazzola (Photo by Tara…

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Four Students Receive Foundation Trust Regional Parochial Scholarships

The Foundation Trust is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s Regional Parochial School Scholarships.   This is the fourth year the Foundation Trust has provided scholarships to offset tuition costs for parochial school students facing financial need and family adversity. The trustees of the Foundation Trust established this scholarship to mitigate the financial…

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Foundation Trust Spotlight: Revere Community School

The Foundation Trust Spotlight showcases our staff and partners and highlights the important work they are doing to advance resources and services in our programming areas of focus. In this installment, we are excited to share details about our grantee, the Revere Community School. The Foundation Trust’s Connection to Revere The Foundation Trust’s connection to…

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