Framingham’s most economically and educationally distressed young school age children and families are served in this unique three tiered program. The students are culturally and linguistically diverse and the most at risk for growing educational, health and social gaps. Over 60% of the Woodrow Wilson Elementary School students are bilingual/bicultural. With these expanding achievement gaps, interventions are required in elementary school to prevent later school failure. Reducing the Gaps has proven to be a successful, evidence-based model. This project is lead by JFS Metrowest in collaboration with the United Way of Tri-County, private donors and the Framingham School Department.  It is made up of three components:

Wilson All Stars:

This component targets third and fourth grade boys and girls, with a commitment to identifying children from the sheltered and bilingual classrooms and those with specific educational needs.  Building confidence and self esteem while focusing on reading and understanding school materials, improving communication skills, and troubleshooting cultural differences, form the underpinning of this enhanced educational experience for these youth.  The All Stars meet twice a week throughout the school year and are mentored by volunteers of all ages.

Wilson Wizards:

The Wizards is the newest after school component to the program, added in the 2005-06 school year.  For fifth grade girls only, it is specifically designed to decrease the science and math learning gap between male and female students entering middle school. Program elements include a variety of hands-on activities and experiments.  The program utilizes a Lego Robotics curriculum that gives the girls the opportunity to research, design, build and program a device that they believe could help a person with a disability.  A critical aspect of Wizards is the female-only volunteer and staff mentors who provide the girls with strong, successful role models. The Wizards meet twice a week throughout the school year.

Weekend Nutrition Program:

Many families rely on the school free and reduced breakfast and lunch program to assure that thier children will recieve nutritious meals. While students receive free breakfast and lunch at school, there is no guarantee that the students and other family members will have access to nutritious food on the weekends. On Fridays, parents referred to the program can pick up grocery bags filled with enough nutritious food to feed their family through the weekend.

Healthy Harvest:

 Fresh produce is healthy but it can be expensive. Families who need help provding food for their families are often limited to the canned and boxed foods available in food pantries. Healthy Harvest provides free fresh produce to Wilson All Star, Wizard and Weekend Nutrition families only. Produce bags are distributed every other Tuesday and include items such as apples, oranges, sweet potatoes, onions, yucca, collards, lettuce, cabbage, carrots, and more. Households of five or more receive two produce bags.

Family Assistance Program:

A community resource specialist is available in to meet with Wilson families to provide information and assistance regarding housing, employment, nutrition programs, legal assistance, medical assistance, utilities assistance and answer any questions families may have. Assistance is offered in English and Portuguese and available to all Wilson families.