Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

---

Organization Name: Friends of the Waltham Family School, Inc.
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 510 Moody Street, Third Floor, Waltham, MA 02453
City: Waltham
State: Massachusetts
Postal Code: 02453
Main Phone: (781) 314-5696
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://www.walthamfamilyschool.org/friends-of-waltham-family-school
Employer ID Number: 46-2772840
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

---

Today’s Date: 3/25/2025
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Fueling Hope and Enabling Dreams to Take Flight: Waltham Family School Pre- School and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Educational Programs
Project Description:

The Waltham Family School delivers a culturally and linguistically sensitive curriculum that is responsive to enrolled families’ needs and centered on whole-of-person well-being. Pre-school for 3-5 year-olds, English language classes, interactive and evidence-based literacy-building skills, and wraparound social-emotional supports are the cornerstones of this model. Enrolled families participate for four days and 12 hours each week during the school year. English language classes emphasize speaking, reading, writing, parenting resources, and essential computer and workforce readiness skill-building. The School’s English language education programming has resulted in jobs, promotions, and additional education, all of which contribute to greater family stability. Pre-schooling focuses on early childhood development and providing children with safe, supportive, and stimulating environments. Parents benefit from workshops on navigating public school systems, accessing human services, and safeguarding physical and mental well-being.
The School’s work is grounded in its recognition of the rich cultural assets and resilience that immigrant families bring to Waltham. Programs are designed to honor these strengths and provide tailored supports that build on individual participants’ abilities and aspirations. The School aims not only to address immigrant families’ immediate needs, but also to build long-term pathways to success that benefit the broader community. Each year, the School enrolls approximately 40 families, with demand consistently exceeding enrollment capacity. The School maintains a growing waitlist of approximately 15 families.
The School moved into a larger space this past summer, and the staff and Board of Directors have ambitious dreams for the School’s growth. School leadership is actively exploring innovative community partnership models with other local nonprofits and government agencies that aim to expand wraparound services to address the unique challenges faced by enrolled immigrant families. These services include enhanced social-emotional supports, creative and culturally relevant pedagogies featuring guest educators, and increased access to formal education- and career-relevant technology and training.

Total Project Budget: $335,866

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Waltham Public Schools, City of Waltham (via Federal Community Development Block Grant Program), Waltham Arts Council, Cummings Foundation, Ratshesky Foundation, Alice Willard Dorr Foundation, Community Foundation for MetroWest, Waltham Rotary Club, Multiple Individual and Corporate Fundraising Event Sponsorships, Individual Donors’ Contributions.

Project Duration: 12 Months (July 1, 2025, to July 30, 2026)
Geographical Area Served: Waltham, Massachusetts, and the MetroWest Region
Age Group To Be Served: Preschool-Aged Children and Young Adult Parents

Contact Information

---

Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms
Contact First Name: Tracy
Contact Last Name: McMahon
Contact Title: President of the Board of Directors
Contact Phone: (781) 314-5696
Contact Email: friendsofthewfs@gmail.com