Press, Awards, & Recognition
PRESS
Change Is Simple Donates 60 Climate-Focused Books to Bentley Academy Library
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE | Salem Public Schools
Principal Susan Smith, Librarian Ajilida, and second grade students of Bates Academy Innovation School receive their Climate Library Certification from Change is Simple Lead Educator Jess.
June 10, 2026
In early June, Change is Simple visited the Bentley Academy Innovation School in Salem Public Schools to donate books, in English and Spanish, to create a section of climate literature in the school library.
With a donation of 60 books, representatives from Change is Simple spoke to four classes of 3rd-5th grades students about human impacts on the environment and the relation of extreme weather, greenhouse gasses like carbon, rising temperatures, and natural disasters to climate change. Students constructed their own wind turbines and discussed renewable energy solutions as well as non-renewable energy and how everyday people can mitigate these impacts.
Notable Nonprofits by Life in Mass: Change is Simple
READ THE FULL FEATURE HERE | Life in Mass, E. Godbois
April 25, 2026
Change is Simple Outreach and Development Manager Janelle Rolke, sits down with Ed Godbois of Life in Mass to spread Change is Simple’s mission. Read on to see what she had to share about the history and story behind the mission, what makes experiential learning so effective in the classroom and on climate issues, her favorite success story, and the future of the organization.
Good Vibe Tribe Radio Station Hosts Patrick Belmonte
LISTEN TO IT HERE | Good Vibe Tribe
April 23, 2026
Patrick Belmonte joined Karson & Kennedy of the Good Vibe Tribe to talk about Change is Simple. The vision for Change is Simple is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: when children are given the knowledge, tools, and agency to understand their impact on the world, they grow into adults who act with intention, responsibility, and hope. If you'd like info on the upcoming gala click here.
Friends-Boston Partners with National Grid Foundation and Change is Simple to Bring Environmental Learning to Achievers
READ IT HERE | Friends of the Children-Boston
March 9, 2026
Through the generous support of National Grid Foundation, the team at Change is Simple will lead two hands-on workshops designed to help Achievers explore important topics like climate, energy, and sustainability in ways that are interactive, empowering, and relevant to their everyday lives.
Solid Waste and Recycling Pilot Program Reaches Youth in an Effort to Save the Environment and Taxpayer Dollars
READ IT HERE | The City of Lowell, John Guilfoil Public Relations
March 2026
Fourth graders from Abraham Lincoln Elementary School in Lowell learned that making change in the world can be simple as they participated in hands-on lessons about how to reduce waste. The lesson is part of a larger City effort to reduce waste, increase recycling, and save taxpayers money while helping to protect the environment. Representatives of Change is Simple visited the Lincoln School on Monday morning thanks to a grant provided by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
Weekly Scoop with the Supe
WATCH IT HERE | Triton Regional School District
December 12, 2025
Hear from Triton Regional School District Superintendent, Brian Forget, provides his weekly update to teachers, parents, and students. Forget gives an introduction and overview of Change is Simple as they start this new partnership in grade three classrooms across the district.
National Health, Faith, and Civic Leaders Stand Together
for an America That Rises to Meet Challenges Amid a Changing Climate
READ IT HERE | ecoAmerica Press Release
Summer 2025
Washington, DC: On the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, nationally respected leaders representing the voices of our nation’s health professionals, faith leaders, and community organizations have come together to call for federal action on climate resilience and solutions. Together, they are calling on leaders across the country to protect what matters most — people — and are inviting other organizations to join a shared effort for a safer, healthier, and more just future.
The joint statement is available here.
“The climate crisis is already harming our health. This administration’s gutting of critical disaster preparedness and response and other public health programs is making a terrible situation worse for all Americans, from the floodplains of Florida and Texas to the wildfire-scorched hills of California. As a nation, we must unite to face the serious threat of climate change. This first step is to restore funding to federal programs at FEMA, NOAA, CDC, and others that protect us every day. We then need to focus on future climate mitigation efforts through an equity and sustainability lens.”
“The devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina showed us that when creation groans, the most vulnerable among us suffer first. In remembrance of this moment that deeply impacted so many, we are called by God to protect both the earth and one another.”
“As we mark twenty years since Hurricane Katrina, we’re reminded that for underserved communities, the disaster doesn’t start with the storm — it begins long before, in decades of underinvestment, lack of preparedness, and political failure to confront climate change. We are too often left without the tools to protect our homes, our health, or our future. Building climate resilience isn’t charity — it’s justice, and it’s long overdue.”
Dozens of national organizations have stepped forward as endorsers. Together, these leaders represent the trusted voices of doctors and nurses, clergy and congregational leaders, and civic institutions in every community across the United States. Their message is clear: in the face of worsening climate-fueled disasters, we need leadership that puts people first and delivers real, lasting solutions.
The statement includes urgent calls for:
Full restoration of FEMA, NOAA, and all critical federal resilience programs
Disaster response policies rooted in health, safety, responsibility, and fairness
Federal action to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and reduce climate risk
These demands come amid recent climate-fueled disasters, from deadly heatwaves in the South and Midwest to flash floods in the Northeast, and wildfires in the West. Each crisis underscores the rising toll of climate change on American lives and livelihoods.
Recent research by ecoAmerica found that more Americans — especially Republicans — are making the connection between extreme weather and climate change. And, majorities across political lines (79%) express increased concern about the government’s ability to protect people from climate impacts amid proposed cuts to FEMA and NOAA.
In the wake of these mounting threats and the recent bipartisan passage of HR-1, this statement signals a turning point. It offers a shared, human-centered vision for climate leadership grounded in the core American values of care, safety, and justice.
Organizations across sectors are encouraged to read the full statement and add their endorsement. To sign on, complete this form.
Media inquiries and interview requests:
Leaders are available for interviews upon request. To coordinate, contact: Press@ecoAmerica.org
American Climate Leadership Awards
WATCH IT HERE | The ACLA Broadcast Recording (to see Lauren accept the award, skip to 35:08)
April 16, 2025
Change is Simple is proud to announce that we won the first place award for $50k! These were the sixth annual American Climate Leadership Awards (ACLA), a premier national recognition program honoring outstanding efforts to expand climate advocacy and action. Chosen from a competitive pool of over 260 applicants by a distinguished panel of national judges, these organizations and individuals exemplify leadership in driving local, state, and national climate solutions.
THANK YOU to ecoAmerica and all of the candidates that are working towards a cleaner, greener future alongside each other.
Good Morning America: GMA3
November 29, 2023
In September of 2023, GMA meteorologist Ginger Zee visited us during programming at Shamrock Elementary in Woburn. The segment aired November 29th, featuring our programming and SCiLL, breaking its record of biggest debut yet on CBS Boston!
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Item descriptionREAD IT HERE | Centerpoint Advisors
July 17, 2025
Our friends at Centerpoint Advisors, an independent wealth management firm, spotlight Change is Simple in a Q&A with Outreach & Development Manager Janelle Rolke. Rolke shares with Senior Wealth Advisor and Director of Financial Wellness Ashley Agnew, CFT™ how the nonprofit empowers nearly 8,000 Boston-area students annually with hands-on, STEM-based climate education that transforms complex environmental topics into hopeful, action-oriented lessons. She emphasizes the program’s unique ability to foster agency, joy, and inclusivity — meeting kids where they are and showing them they can be part of the solution.
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Item description
READ IT HERE | Climate Education in the U.S.: Where It Stands, and Why It Matters
February 9, 2023
Columbia Climate School examines the state of climate education in the U.S., emphasizing the need for equitable, science-based instruction and highlighting organizations like Change is Simple that are leading hands-on, solutions-focused programs.
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Item descriLISTEN TO IT HERE | There's a Hole in the State's Climate Efforts: Elementary Education
October 21, 2022
Boston WBUR’s Aimee Moon visited us and SCiLL at Paul Revere Elementary School for some of our lessons both inside the lab and the classroom. Tune in to hear about the importance of climate education starting young.
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October 4, 2022
Hear some thoughts from one of our co-founders, a teacher, and some students at Ipswich Middle School as they explore a human-impact themed “Escape Room” in our mobile lab.
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WATCH IT HERE | Science Lab on Wheels Brings Lessons on Climate Change to Kids
August 31, 2022
On August 31st, meteorologist Sarah Wroblewski from CBS Boston visited our very own SCiLL Escape Room during a visit to students in Salem. Featured in CBS Boston’s special Back-to-School series, the lab made it’s biggest debut yet in partnership with LEAP 4 Education.
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LISTEN TO IT HERE | 'Change Is Simple' Teaches STEM & Sustainability To Boston Students
October 22, 2022
WBZ’s Mike Macklin experiences Change is Simple’s SCiLL (Sustainability and Climate Innovation Learning Lab) after a visit to The Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston. Co-founder and CEO Patrick Belmonte explains the learning stations set up inside and around the mobile lab to teach students about topics ranging from biodiversity to wind and clean energy.
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Learning Hits the Road in Lynn
LCTV News | “SCiLL” Visits Marshall Middle School
July 18, 2022
On July 18th, both Lynn Community Television and Item Live featured Change is Simple at Thurgood Marshall Middle School in Lynn. Students from rising 6-8th grades experienced our very own carbon-themed escape room. The program was in partnership with LEAP 4 Education, a summer education non-profit serving Essex county communities, including Lynn and Salem. Students were visited by Salem Mayor Driscoll and Lynn Mayor Jared C. Nicholson.
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Hannah Elementary Students Get Visit From 30-Foot Mobile Learning Lab
June 17, 2022
On June 8th, Beverly Patch featured a story about Change is Simple and its mobile STEM learning lab. Beverly students, along with State Senator Joan Lovely, explored the new lab known as SCiLL. Students used the high-tech STEM lab to study and identify samples they collected from a nearby pond. The lab is a hands-on tool which furthers the CiS mission of bringing sustainability and climate change education to young students.
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Mobile learning lab comes to Wood Hill School
June 10, 2022
On June 10th the Andover Townsman featured a story about Change is Simple and its new mobile STEM learning lab. Sixth-grade students from Andover’s Wood Hill Middle School – along with State Representative Tram Nguyen – were immersed in a lesson about biodiversity and pollution. The high-tech SCiLL lab allows students to engage in hands-on learning about many topics related to sustainability and climate change.
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Change is Simple mobile STEM lab rolls up to Hannah School in Beverly
June 8, 2022
On June 8th the Salem News featured a photographic slide show featuring Change is Simple’s new STEM mobile learning lab. The photographer takes readers along as students from Beverly’s Hannah Elementary School were introduced the new mobile lab known as SCiLL. The lab brings STEM lessons about sustainability, solar power, climate change, biodiversity, composting, migration patterns and more to students in a very hands-on way.
SCiLL visited the Rose Kennedy Greenway in downtown Boston
Salem Mayor Driscoll with co-founder Lauren Belmonte and middle schoolers at Thurgood Marshall Middle School in Lynn
State Representative Tram Nguyen with students and teachers from Wood Hill Middle School in Andover
Change is Simple Founders Patrick and Lauren Belmonte, and State Senator Joan Lovely with 3rd Grade Students from Hannah Elementary School
Inside SCiLL, students poke through a bin of pond water looking for macroinvertebrates that indicate water quality
“These learning programs excite our students, equip them with valuable skills, and engage them around education, innovation, and sustainability, all of which are crucial to their development.”
““This is so much better than a science book. You can see it, feel it.””
“Change is Simple has had a profound impact.”
Awards & Recognition
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BEVERLY, MA — 2021
In May 2021 Change is Simple, Inc. was chosen as one of 140 local nonprofits to receive grants of $100,000 to $500,000 each through the Cummings Foundation's $25 Million Grant Program. We were chosen from a total of 590 applicants during a competitive review process and will receive $350,000 over 10 years!
This sustained funding will allow the organization to continue the important expansion of our educational program into more under-resourced school districts throughout Essex, Middlesex, and Suffolk counties.
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NEW YORK, NY — 2021
The Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation and NBCUniversal Local, division of NBCUniversal, today [May 19, 2021] announced that $3.475 million in Project Innovation grants will be presented to 100 non-profits in 11 markets. The grantees will use the funds to help move their communities forward through programs that are helping to shape the next generation of storytellers, foster a culture of equity and inclusion, empower youth with the tools they need to succeed, and inspire individuals to participate and volunteer in community engagement initiatives.
Change is Simple: $50,000
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ANDOVER, MA — 2018
In 2018 we were honored to accept an Impact Grant award from Woodard and Curran Foundation for the Change is Simple Mobile Sustainability & Climate Innovation Learning Lab (SCiLL). Change is Simple is receiving $100,000 over three years to design and build a one-of-a-kind Mobile Sustainability & Climate Innovation Learning Lab (SciLL) trailer that will visit schools in the Greater Boston area and educate children on environmental topics, making Change is Simple mobile. This project is expected to be completed to launch in January 2022.
The Change is Simple team celebrates receiving a 2021 Cummings Foundation Grant
Change is Simple receives a $50K Project Innovation Grant from NBC Universal Foundation
Lauren happily receives a $100K check from Woodard and Curran Foundation for SCiLL
