Greenwich Alliance tells board it has provided $5.6M in program support; alumni describe pathways to college and careers

Julie Feriniars, executive director of the Greenwich Alliance for Education, told the Board of Education the Alliance has invested roughly $5.6 million in programs that support arts, STEM, college and career readiness, and mental-health and wellness initiatives across every district school.

Feriniars outlined grant programs, noted the Alliance will fund seven grants this year totaling $170,000, and highlighted long-running programs such as Tuning Into Music, which averages 64 students and about $110,000 in annual support. She invited board members and the public to upcoming fundraisers and asked for introductions to prospective sponsors.

Several current and former students described how Alliance programs shaped their paths. Alexis Cervantes said Tuning Into Music made lessons accessible to her family and inspired her to become a music teacher; Yousef and Jahal described the Eastern Middle School science team’s hands‑on learning; Michael Morales and Grace Shellkash described AVID supports that helped with college applications and professional development.

Board members praised the Alliance’s partnership and urged community support. One board member asked how to donate; Feriniars directed listeners to greenwichalliance.org. The Alliance also previewed a 20th‑anniversary community rollout and ongoing work to scale AVID K–12 and other initiatives.

The presentation emphasized the Alliance’s role as a community funder and partner to district schools, providing targeted grants that the district and principals can leverage for pilot programs and expanded opportunities for students.