REACH
REACH is a committee of the SINA board of directors that promotes Recognition, Education, Achievement and Community Health. REACH is composed of SINA directors, employees of the SINA institutions who volunteer to serve, and select members of the community. Its mission is to develop, support and recognize individuals who positively contribute to the growth of the Hartford Community.
SINA / Ivan A. Backer Scholarship
The SINA/Ivan A. Backer Scholarship program was established in 1997 in honor of Ivan Backer, who served as president of SINA for nearly 20 years and who was one of the driving forces behind the revival of Hartford’s Southside neighborhood. The recipients are selected based on service to the community, school and family; as well as for academic achievement. The scholarship consists of three awards of $4,000 ($1,000 per year for 4 years) to Bulkeley High School seniors continuing their education at an accredited 4-year postsecondary program. The scholarships are renewable at $1,000 per academic year for four years, as long as the student is in good standing. Scholarship recipients are required to submit a copy of their tuition bill and a copy of their transcripts each fall semester by November 1. (Copies of transcripts are required starting with student’s sophomore year.) The application is distributed to Bulkeley High School during the winter season.
Ivan Backer Scholarship Articles:
Ivan A. Baker Scholarship (Summer 2010)
The 2010 Scholarship recipients were honored at the Fourth Annual REACH Awards Ceremony on June 3, 2010 at The Lyceum. read more
Ivan A. Backer Scholars Honored (Fall 2006)
Following the success of last year’s new venue for the Ivan A. Backer Scholarship event, SINA honored the three 2006 scholarship winners by sponsoring a breakfast at Il Panino restaurant.
read more
Community College Text Book Scholarship
The Community College Text Book Scholarship began in 2005. The purpose of the scholarship is to support academically achieving neighborhood residents who are matriculated at a community college. The scholarship makes up to of four annual awards of $250 each to residents of the 15 block target area who achieve a GPA of 2.85 (B+) and who are fully enrolled at Capital Community College, Manchester Community College or Tunxis Community College in a two year degree program. Awardees are required to acknowledge the award with a letter to SINA. The award is distributed in the spring semester of the academic year.
Neighborhood Service Awards
The Neighborhood Service Awards recognizes individuals in the community and SINA Institutions that go beyond the call of duty to promote community service in Hartford.
Neighborhood Service Awards Articles:
Reaching Higher (Summer 2010)
SINA congratulates the winners of its 2010 Neighborhood Service Award recipients at the Forth Annual REACH Awards Ceremony on June 3, 2010 at The Lyceum. read more
Neighborhood Service Award (Spring 2006)
Teaching Hartford youth the job and life skills that will prepare them for living in the real world is Carlos González’s goal in his role as supervisor of the after-school Horticulture Vocational Training Program at the Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital’s Mental Health Network. read more
Hartford Public Schools Annual Citywide Science Fair
SINA has sponsored the Hartford Public Schools Annual Citywide Science Fair since 2009. The Science Fair consists of three parts, the actual Science Fair where the judges speak with the students with their projects at hand, Community Viewing Night, and the Award Ceremony Night.
On top of sponsoring the science fair, in 2010 SINA developed the Science Fair Teacher’s Award. The awards are given the night of the Hartford Public Schools Awards Ceremony in recognition of outstanding dedication to science education at the elementary and secondary level. The criteria consisted of a minimum of two years teaching in Hartford Public Schools, meet all rules and deadlines of Hartford Public Schools District Science Fair, and demonstrated excitement and support in promoting science in their school.
Every year the REACH committee pulls together their resources to get volunteers to be judges at the science fair. If you are interested in becoming a judge for next year’s science fair please fill out the Volunteer Form and send to lvalentin@sinainc.org. We will then send you a reminder with the day, time and location.
Science Fair Articles:
“How strong is spaghetti?” (Summer 2009)
Based on their class project at Hartford’s 18th Annual Citywide Science Fair, fi rst grade students Kywayne and Tomia may be tomorrow’s fi nest dentists. Their West Middle School class’ experiment involved soaking hard-boiled eggs in water and soda, then comparing the results. When presenting their findings to volunteer judge Jane Baird, CCMC Advocacy Coordinator and Chair of SINA’s REACH Committee, the young students explained, We couldn’t just pull our teeth out and do the experiment, so eggshells were the next best thing, because, like teeth, they have calcium in them.” read more
