By Chris Randall — Correspondent
The yard signs you see throughout Concord testify to an engaged, active citizenry. In such an environment, ideas can spring to life in surprising ways.
Concordians Joan Hilton and her late husband, Peter, were deeply involved in running Concord’s Open Table, which fights food insecurity in the MetroWest suburbs.
“In 2013,” Hilton recalls, “Salma Semakula, a Ugandan immigrant, and her family started coming to Open Table. Salma began telling us of her dream of opening a preschool in Kampala, Uganda, with her friend Esther Makumbi.”
An inspiring objective
“Peter and I were moved by Salma’s vision and inspired by her ideas for breaking the cycle of poverty,” Hilton said. “Peter was a dyed-in-the-wool community activist and had helped create several non-profits. He helped Salma form a board of directors and launch a fundraising effort. The Clover Foundation was born.”
“The people and businesses of Concord,” said fellow board member Edie Lipinski, “have really helped Clover succeed. Seven of our 10 board members are from Concord or very nearby. Businesses like the Concord Bookshop, West Concord Wine and Spirits, and the Concord Cheese Shop support our events and fundraising efforts. And many of our donors are from Concord.”
A “holistic” approach
The approach, Hilton explained, “is holistic. We provide free pre-school education, nutritious meals, and health care. These simple things change the course of Clover children’s lives.”
Without such a program, she said, Clover families would have little chance of escaping the bonds of poverty in a desperately poor urban area where food insecurity, housing challenges, domestic violence, and lack of health care are commonplace.
Lipinski added that, in 2017, Clover launched a microfinance program for the mothers of Clover children. “Since its inception, we’ve given 60 Clover moms interest-free microloans. They’ve used the money to start businesses like chicken rearing, urban farming, and food stands.”
She explained that the resulting income increases families’ food security and quality of life. Additionally, the mothers learn valuable skills and join a supportive network.
When Clover schoolhead Makumbi visited in June 2023, she spoke at the Concord Public Library about the microloan program. In addition, Lipinski arranged for her to visit Milldam Nursery School, Concord Montessori, Concord Children’s Center, and Beth Elohim Early Learning Center.
Long-distance bonds
During these visits, Makumbi taught a lesson about Clover children’s favorite foods, discussed teaching methods with staff, and observed children learning and at play. Milldam children sent Clover students a video of them singing. They, in turn, created cards for the Milldam class.
In Lipinski’s words, “It is community here supporting community there in transformative ways.”
Makumbi will speak at Clover’s annual fundraiser at Concord Art on October 5. The public is invited to attend and learn about sparking systemic change under trying conditions. For details and to register, visit clover-foundation.org.
Reflecting on her work with Clover, Hilton said, “I have learned and grown tremendously. Truly, giving is getting.” Lipinski echoed the sentiment, saying, “My work with Clover has expanded my life and my heart.”
And both agreed that being based in Concord has made the hard work of launching, running, and sustaining a non-profit easier.
