Giving a Boost to New Haven school children

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- New Haven city and school leaders will be working to get the word about about some services for kids in the Elm City.

The John Martinez School is part of New Haven's Boost! program . That means the school works with the United Way to help students not only with their academics, but to get them health care and family support as well. You say you didn't know that? Well, that's why folks are going door to door this Saturday to let everyone know.

It's called a canvass. Volunteers will knock on doors in two of the city's poorest neighborhoods to spread the word about Boost! and New Haven Promise . That's the program that pays for college tuition for all New Haven students. They will kick off this drive to let everyone know about the programs with a press conference during a seventh grade class in the library later this morning.

The plan is to emphasize the connection between academics and all the non-academic support that you now know is available here.