A community program providing supplemental education in a foreign language to community children for decades will continue for another year. The Primavera Italian Language Program, run every fall at St. Benedict’s School, has long taught Italian language and the culture of Italy through art, music and food to youngsters on Saturdays.

The program, originally founded 40 years ago as the Aurora Program, was in danger of closing its doors for good after two funding sources the program relies upon weren’t available to provide grants this year, said Loretta Zaino, program coordinator and teacher. Congressman Joe Crowley and Senator Jeff Klein, who in recent years normally provided the vast majority of funding for the program, which is considered a community staple, were unable to fund the program this year after primary loses, said Zaino.