The Liberty Bank Foundation has awarded a $5,000 grant to Klingberg Family Centers to support a vocational education program for special needs/at-risk students attending Raymond Hill School in New Britain.  The grant was presented by Chandler Howard, president and CEO of Liberty Bank and the Liberty Bank Foundation.

“This program fits well within our foundation’s focus on education that leads to economic success,” said Howard.  “By offering hands-on work experience in a supportive environment, Klingberg is enabling students to gain practical life skills that will help them succeed in the workforce.”

David Tompkins, Vice President of Klingberg Family Centers, was present to accept the grant. “We are grateful to the Liberty Bank Foundation for their support of this program,” he said. “These funds will allow us to enhance the opportunities we provide for our students to gain essential job skills and work experience.”

The grant will specifically support the Marjorie Moore School Store, a youth business at the Raymond Hill School. The store reinforces the positive behavior of all students and serves as the main training vehicle for high school–level students interested in marketing and retail sales. This in-school store, complete with shelving, clothing racks, and other features, contains items that may be purchased by students based on points earned through positive behaviors and achieving tasks/goals during the school day. High school students inventory and select stock, price and display items for sale and handle student purchases. This allows them to learn the economics of running a business and experience what it means to work and earn money, as they receive financial compensation for their efforts.