Weekly Media Roundup: June 3, 2026

‘Emotionally Devastated.’ People Mourn Cuts to Subsidized Childcare in Tacoma, Tacoma News Tribune (Washington)

For the past seven years, Tacoma Public Schools’ Beyond the Bell and Club B have provided thousands of elementary and middle school students with free or low-cost afterschool programs, offering robotics, glassblowing, book clubs, sports and more, while helping working families afford afterschool care. The programs are now at risk of being eliminated due to a $9 million budget deficit at Parks Tacoma in Washington. As Beyond the Bell Supervisor Josh Gannis told the Tacoma News Tribune, the programs are vital to the community. “‘I would not have been able to sign this lease and put this roof over our head if not for this program that could allow me to pick my kid up at 6 o’clock.’ – I’ve heard that countless times across the district,” Gannis said. “Some of the men in our programs are the only positive male role models these kids will interact with throughout their day.”

Trump’s Threat to Afterschool Funding—and What’s Emerging to Meet It, Nonprofit Quarterly

Despite unmet demand for afterschool remaining stubbornly high, the Trump administration is once again proposing to eliminate dedicated federal funding for out-of-school time programs. But the Afterschool Alliance and allies are mobilizing communities to urge lawmakers to increase, rather than slash, state and federal funding so more students can access these essential programs. Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant notes that President Trump’s proposed block grant would gut funding not only for school districts but also community organizations and faith-based groups. “Many local afterschool and summer programs are successful because they draw on the support of local organizations,” Grant noted in written testimony submitted to a House Appropriations Subcommittee in April. Organizations “that have earned the trust of local families…would lose their funding, not because they failed, but because a block grant structure would be used to support only school day activities.”

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati Announces Free Summer Programming Initiative Across Region, Northern Kentucky Tribune (Kentucky)

This summer, hundreds of Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky students in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati’s free summer program will connect with mentors, explore Cincinnati’s zoo, museum center, and botanical garden, play sports, perform in theater productions and more. The program runs five days a week for eight weeks with two meals and a snack provided each day. “Our goal is to make sure every child has access to a safe, supportive and enriching environment throughout the summer,” CEO Bill Bresser told the Northern Kentucky Tribune. “We are proud to offer experiences that keep kids learning, active and connected while also supporting families across our community, and every aspect of the program is completely free.”

Local Boys & Girls Club Receives Grant; Plans to Reinvigorate Programs for Youth, WDAM (Mississippi)

Thanks to a $5,500 grant from the Southern Pine Electric “Members Helping Members” program, the Covington County Boys & Girls Club in Collins, Mississippi will expand their afterschool and summer programs. The programs provide a safe space where students participate in engaging academic enrichment activities, prevention programs and hands-on community projects.  “Our focus is on getting more teens in the program, and try to continue to create space for them, so that’s why we did the grant opportunity, to enhance that area,” Club Executive Director Peggy Weary told WDAM.