New York is putting nearly $11 million in grant money into after-school programs across the state.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, announced the grants on Thursday. The funding will benefit 8,000 students in 68 local programs that offer educational, recreational, and cultural activities for three hours after school lets out, according to the governor’s office.
“By funding these after-school programs, we are ensuring that children in communities across the state have access to learning opportunities and cultural exposure that will further their development for years to come,” Cuomo said in a statement. “Our administration is focused on providing exceptional learning environments to students, from pre-K through college, and supporting exercises that are proven to enhance their learning experience is the right thing to do.”
All the recipients are part of the Advantage After-School Programs initiative, which is funded mainly through state money and federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families dollars. The initiative aims to increase students’ school attendance and grades, foster friendships, and keep students out of trouble. The programs are supported by school, community, and public-private partnerships, and incorporate the lessons learned from school into less formal activities, according to the governor’s office.
The programs funded by the grants are scattered across the state. In May, we reported that New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is spending $145 million for after-school programs for middle schoolers this year, funding 34,000 new seats.