By Shaheed M. Morris

TRENTON – The internet connection inside of the Helpself Learning Center, located at 215 North Montgomery Street, was weak. On a good day, it might work. The ongoing connectivity problems made it cumbersome for students to sign onto virtual classes and complete other online assignments. Lawrence Boyd, the program’s executive director, pointed at the new Wi-Fi connectors and adaptors in a recent interview. As one of the recipients of a Forever Forward multi-year grant from The Smith Family Foundation, the learning center was able to restore internet connections throughout the center and make a host of additional upgrades.

The center received a three-year grant that provided $20,000 the first year. The center has gotten $30,000 in this, the grant’s second year. HelpSelf, a nonprofit organization, was founded in 2002 and is committed to serving the youth and families of Trenton. Ebony Boynton, whose son, Zoey, attends the after-school program, said that program offers a safe haven for the working parent. “HelpSelf’s in-person academic program has allowed me to keep working throughout this pandemic with peace of mind knowing that my child is in a safe, productive environment and that their schoolwork is getting done,” Boynton said.

This past summer, 25 students participated in the summer camp because of COVID-19 restrictions. The nonprofit’s operating budget has grown from $50,000 in 2018 to $334,000 today. “The growth is largely due to the workshops, classes and training the grant has enabled us to attend,” Boyd said. “We also learned how to do focus fundraising.” Focus fundraising was successfully incorporated on a recent April project, where the campaign raised $3,000 in a few days to completely pave the center’s back and adjacent parking lot. Other fundraising campaigns include a complete painting of the learning center, tuition assistance for parents, an air condition unit and desks.

As part of the second-year grant, the program offers math tutors and mental health professionals to assist students. “The Smith Family Foundation has allowed us to transform the lives of our next generation leaders resulting in more productive citizens,” Boyd said.  In addition, the center offers virtual parenting and financial literacy classes. Monthly community meals, care basket giveaways and clothing giveaways are also held. The learning center offers a wide range of programs for students ages between 2 and 14. “With all that happened over the last two years, the students’ mental stability is important to us,” Boyd said. “We are also providing support for the students’ families. We focus on whole-family success.”