~Photos by Claudia Ferro

The Duhamel Education Initiative’s 20th Annual Pancake Breakfast to support Somerville Public Schools took place on Saturday, April 2 at the First Church Congregational in Somerville.

Paul Duhamel, a Somerville School Committee member, was a positive force in the community and an excellent leader in the area of dropout prevention. His untimely passing spurred his friends to establish an organization that would continue his work.

Since 1995, the Duhamel Education Initiative has furthered Paul’s efforts by supporting the Somerville Public Schools and those students who are most in need. The Initiative has awarded over $50,000 in dropout prevention grants to Somerville teachers and also supports at-risk youth and innovative programs in the Somerville Public Schools.

In 2011, the DEI was honored by the Somerville School Committee for its strong support of the public schools of Somerville.

For more info go to http://www.duhameleducationinitiative.org.