Weekly Media Roundup: August 7, 2024

Chicago Touts After-School Program Growth But Cuts Funding, Chalkbeat

Weeks before the school year begins, many Chicago afterschool programs are facing dramatic funding cuts as federal COVID funds wind down and Chicago Public Schools is allocating fewer resources to out-of-school time programs. “We are trying to figure out how to continue to fund programs,” Patrick Brosnan, executive director of Chicago’s Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, told Chalkbeat. “It’s a scarcity mindset, and it’s too bad we’re in this situation.” At Gale Community Academy, the school is relying on its ongoing relationship with Loyola University to help fill in the gap after losing half of its afterschool program funding. Other schools in Chicago are turning to parents to help with fundraising efforts or are reducing the size of their programs.

$57 Million Available for Programs Offering Before, After School Programs, WZZM 13 (Michigan)

To help raise awareness about available funding for before-school, afterschool and summer programs, the Michigan Afterschool Partnership is traveling across the state, educating out-of-school time providers about the state grant process. “Think about any time that young people are present, they’re learning, and one of those spaces is outside of the school day,” Trevor Davies, deputy executive director of Michigan After School Partnership and an Afterschool Alliance Afterschool Ambassador, told WZZM 13. “Out of school time is a space to provide enrichment activities, anything from gardening and science, math, reading, theater, music and art.” Applications are due at the end of August and funding will be available starting November.

South Dallas Summer Camp Tackles Food Gap with Free Meals, Texas Standard (Texas)

Nearly one in five children in Texas face food insecurity, which researchers say worsens during the summer when school meals are not available. To help bridge that gap, Bridge Builders has offered a free seven-week summer program in South Dallas for three decades. The program includes breakfast, lunch and a snack in addition to enrichment activities. “It’s my favorite thing of summer because you get to wake up early and get ready and get to go somewhere,” 10-year-old Kimora Hill told the Texas Standard. “Then, as soon as you get here, you get to do fun stuff.”

Augusta Program Provides Resources to Parents, Students, WRDW-TV (Georgia)

Last week at Living in Purpose’s back-to-school celebration in Augusta, Georgia, hundreds of families received free school supplies, backpacks, and haircuts, and connected with the center’s afterschool programs. Living in Purpose offers mentorship, homework help, enrichment and college preparation to students in Richmond County. “It is so rewarding to me, because I see [students] when they come in and I see them as they’re progressing. I see their heads going from down to being lifted up. I see their chests coming up. I see smiles on their faces. They are gaining hope, and I love it,” Executive Administrator Kamilah Freeman told WRDW-TV.