The Framingham City Disability Commission voted Jan. 7 to fund Smile Mass (Small Miracles in Life Exist) $20,000 in scholarship support, contingent on a finalized city grant application and Finance Committee sign-off.

Smile Mass founder Lottie (last name not provided) told commissioners the nonprofit helps children and adults with severe disabilities through movement-based programs, adapted equipment loans, and scholarships for individualized services. "All of our kids get a progress report, and all of our kids get goals," she said, describing services that include one-on-one swim and gym sessions, adapted bikes and job-training opportunities.

Why it matters: Smile Mass said the scholarship pool would allow it to add roughly 45 new clients and sustain existing participants; the organization said it spent about 97% of its recent dollars on direct services. The commission and Smile Mass discussed a six-month use window the city will require for grant-funded projects.

Commission action and conditions: Commissioners voted to approve the $20,000 award on a motion that explicitly made disbursement "pending the approval of the grant application as well as the approval of funding from Fincom." Chair Catherine Cuddy said staff would work with Smile Mass to expedite the required grant paperwork and legal sign-off by the city solicitor.

Picnic tables donation: During the presentation Smile Mass offered two accessible picnic tables (donated in partnership with Volunteer Ventures) for city placement. The commission voted to accept the tables conditionally: acceptance was approved pending a final, commission-approved placement location after consultation with parks & recreation, buildings & grounds and the mayor's office.

Reporting and follow-up: Smile Mass agreed to provide monthly reports on scholarship spending and program outcomes, and commissioners said they will ask for follow-up summaries to measure impact. "If you tell us where to go, we'll deliver them in the spring," Lottie said of the picnic tables.

Ending: The funding vote was recorded as contingent on city grant-process steps; commissioners asked staff to circulate a draft grant application and to return to the commission with final placement recommendations for the picnic tables.