The East End Fund for Children—a newly launched initiative made up of seven local non-profits—is delighted to call Project MOST a member. For more than two decades, the East Hampton-based organization has offered extracurricular enrichment programs for children and families of the East End community. We recently spoke with Project MOST’s Executive Director, Rebecca Morgan Taylor, about their growth over the years, how they responded to the COVID pandemic and the impact that the last year has had upon students’ academic and social learning.
Can you tell us a little bit about Project MOST and your role there?
Project MOST is a Community Learning Center that offers quality after school, summer learning and community weekend programming to children of all ages. I have been the Executive Director for the past 6 years but have worked for Project MOST for 17 years. In the past 17 years, I have been instrumental in growing the organization from just an after-school program at one school to offering it to two schools, adding a 9-week summer learning program and in this last year opening a community center that offers year-round quality enrichment.
How has COVID impacted Project MOST’s role in the community? How have you had to change over the last year?
Project MOST opened its doors last July to offer our summer learning program to children of families who were essential workers. During the fall, Project MOST supported local East Hampton and Springs School children with a full-day remote learning support and enrichment program. This allowed parents to go back to work 5 days a week when Springs School and EH Middle School opened only in a hybrid learning model (2 in-person learning days and 3 remote learning days). At the John M. Marshall Elementary School which was open 5 days a week all year, Project MOST continued our after-school program to ensure that parents could work a full day. We are now planning our summer learning program which we will offer to 60 students. This program will offer full days of quality hands-on learning during the 9 weeks of summer. Our program complements the learning that children receive during the school year.
What long term impact do you think the pandemic will have upon the audience you serve?
The long-term impacts on our children will be delays in academic learning due to the loss of in-person learning from the pandemic. Hopefully, our quality enrichment will help children stay competitive in their academic studies. Other long-term impacts are what we call “soft skills”. Children have spent so much time on their computers and in front of a screen this year that the ability to interact with others will need to be reinforced. And because of being socially isolated this year, we will need to help them build social skills and self-esteem as we move forward.
How do envision the East End Fund for Children benefiting families living and working on the East End?
The EEFC will greatly benefit all the not-for-profits that work with families to ensure they will continue to receive the support the children need to succeed in life.
What’s your favorite bit of good news that has come out the last year?
The good news is that these 7 not-for-profits came together and are now working collaboratively not just on funding but sharing programs and ideas. Project MOST is a stronger organization knowing that we can be flexible to adjust to the needs in our community.