Eastern Bank awards Banneker $5,000 grant for summer program

Eastern Bank's Abby Nguyen-Burke presents a check to the Banneker's Barbara Brothers in support of the Banneker summer program. (L-R: Banneker Executive Director Sherley Bretous-Carre, Ms. Brothers, Ms. Nguyen-Burke, and Ms. Elydia Nguyen of Eastern Bank.

Eastern Bank has presented the Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School with a $5,000 grant to help support the STEM elementary school’s summer program.

The program, which runs from June 30 to Aug. 1, provides continued academic, social, and health and wellness education to Banneker students. Students continue to work on grade level with literacy, math and science lessons, according to a press release from the Banneker school.

The program also includes transportation and a nutrition program that provides free breakfasts and lunches for the students.

Another key part of the program is the “summer experience component,” according to the release. This portion of the program incorporates summer trips to art and history museums, science centers, aquariums, children’s museums, and state and national parks.

“Without the support of Eastern Bank, we would not be able to provide such quality programming to our students,”Banneker summer program coordinator Barbara Brothers said. “We’re very appreciative of their support.”

Banneker executive director Sherley Bretous-Carre called the donation “a very generous gift.”

“We are very grateful for their support,” Bretous-Carre said. “It shows that Eastern Bank values what we do every day, that Eastern values the effort our teachers put into their work, and that they support our mission of ensuring every child in Cambridge, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, receives a quality education.”

Eastern Bank assistant vice president and business banking development officer Abby Nguyen-Burke said the bank is “proud to support organizations that look out for the community we serve.”

“The Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School is putting the needs of its students first and we are very excited about the launch of its summer program,” Nguyen-Burke said.