Parents, Advocates, Kids Say: Keep the Promise to After-School

ALBANY, NY (03/19/2008)(readMedia)-- Hundreds of after-school parents, kids, providers and other after-school supporters mobilized today at a rally at City Hall to urge the City and State governments to keep the promise for after-school. The advocates said that after-school is a vital component of improving public education in New York City, and providing tens of thousands of kids a safe place to go after school while their parents or guardians work.

“We need the City and the State to keep the promise and support quality after-school programs in the City,” said Pam Bennett, the New York City director of Citizen Action, which coordinates the Coalition for After-School Funding (CASF). “These programs provide academic assistance to students in meeting state learning standards, particularly in high poverty and low performing schools. At a time when the State is committing itself to improving student achievement during the regular school day, we need to ensure that children can engage in meaningful activities until their parents come home from work.”

CASF brought over 900 kids, parents and after school providers to today’s “Keep the Promises” rally, organized by a large coalition of education groups opposing $700 million in City and State cuts. CASF is asking for the restoration of $30 million to the state budget for after-school; and the City Council to restore $6.3 million to the award-winning Beacon Programs, multi-service community centers that serve over 180,000 children and adults throughout the City; and to restore $3.8 million to the After-Three program, which operates more than 100 after-school programs in the City, serving more than 22,000 kids.

"As a member of the Coalition for After-school Funding, we've gathered today to urge our New York City Council and State Legislators to come through for after-school in the next couple of weeks, and to make after-school a priority in the city and state budget," said C. Warren Moses, CEO of The Children's Aid Society. "The Executive Budget added $10 million targeted at the 21st Century Community Learning Centers after-school programs to keep them running another year. Our elected representatives must understand that it's critical for the healthy development of kids and working parents alike to maintain these programs."

“Without the support of our city leaders, my school, Meyer Levin I.S. 285 will loose our Steel Pan, Ballroom Dancing, Basketball, Flag football, and our great fun filled educational trips,” said Site Director Erica Jackman of Sports and Arts in Schools Foundation Champions Club.

Last year, the State Education Department announced that programs whose funding under the federal 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) program was expiring would not be able to apply for renewed funding, threatening programs serving over 20,000 New York City kids. Additional monies were put into last year’s state budget to keep many of these programs running. CASF is calling on the Legislature to adequately provide for 21st Century programs in this year’s state budget.

After-school programs keep kids safe and supervised while their parents work, support student learning and provide students with art, music and sports. CASF is a statewide coalition of over 300 member groups that believe every NYS child should have access to a quality after-school program.

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