East Boston Central Catholic has partnered with local nonprofit ThinkGive to bring free, impactful social and emotional learning (SEL) programming to its students. Funded through ThinkGive’s SEL for Every Child Fund, this initiative ensures no financial burden on the school while delivering lasting benefits to students.
Rooted in a shared commitment to fostering young people’s growth and well-being, the partnership integrated ThinkGive’s action-oriented SEL curriculum into East Boston Central Catholic’s core programming for kindergarten through second-grade students. The goal is to help students become more confident, connected, and compassionate.
The curriculum challenges students to step outside their comfort zones, make thoughtful choices, and reflect on the impact of their actions on others. This marks the first year of collaboration between ThinkGive and East Boston Central Catholic.
“ThinkGive’s engaging curriculum inspires our students to go out into the world and make meaningful connections,” said Kristen Mahoney, City Connects Coordinator at the school. “The focus on taking action to care for ourselves, others, and the environment has made a noticeable difference at our school. I am very grateful for ThinkGive’s partnership with East Boston Central Catholic School.”
East Boston Central Catholic School is implementing two ThinkGive programs:
- Planting Seeds (Kindergarten and Grade 1): A hands-on gardening experience where students learn about kindness by nurturing seeds and drawing parallels to how kindness helps people grow and thrive.
- Think, Give, Build! (Grade 2): A construction-themed journey where students take kind actions, capture their thoughts in Toolbox Books, and collaborate on a visual project representing their growth and learning.
The impact has been both immediate and enduring. Students feel more empowered to make a difference, build stronger peer relationships, and show greater kindness toward themselves and others.
Penny Austen, ThinkGive Executive Director, emphasized the broader implications of the initiative. “This work is about equipping young people with the social and emotional tools they need to thrive—not just in school, but throughout their lives,” she said. “Schools like Central Catholic are ideal partners in creating this kind of meaningful, lasting change.”
