Group Rallies to Keep After School Programs

An article printed in the Lowel Sun drew attention to budget cuts in after-school programs and the annual Afterschool and Expanding Learning Opportunities Advocacy Day at the Statehouse. Yesterday, at the Statehouse the message to legislators was the impact of last years 60% cut in funding it had on the Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership, an umbrella organization for different summer and after-school programs around the state. While the recession is making everyone cut back, I feel certain programs and organizations shouldn't be hit this hard when these programs are benefiting kids and others in the community. But, the reality is when people need this programs the most, when they'll really benefit from them is when funding is going to be cut back. Many of these programs do work for and effect the children by doing better in school and not getting into trouble.
The article quoted that about 600,000 school aged children are involved in after-school programs, about half the youths in Massachusetts. Many programs under the Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership are funded by a $5.5 million grant from the state in fiscal 2009. Last year the budget was cut to $2 million and Governor Patrick proposed the same level of funding this year. These impacts in funding ultimately affect the children participating in these programs. Hopefully the children and other participants made a powerful impact on legislators when visiting legislators at the statehouse on advocacy day!