By Aline Reynolds | I.S. 89 seventh-grader, Gabriela Breton, might not have an after-school theater group to participate in next year.
“I really don’t know what I would do without it,” said Breton. “There’s just a feeling that I get inside when I’m on the stage that’s like no other — a feeling that no student should be deprived of.”
Doing away with the middle school’s after-school activities, Breton continued, “is the equivalent of breaking up a family. Whoever thinks that breaking up a family is right, can you raise your hand now?” she asked her fellow students at a school rally on Wed., May 18.
No hands were raised.
Breton is one of approximately 200 children enrolled in I.S. 89’s after-school program, which consists of sports, theater, music, art and homework help sessions. Without the $103,000 in annual funds provided by the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, however, Manhattan Youth Downtown Community Center might have to discontinue the program altogether. A similar after-school program at P.S. 150 could also be threatened if the organization’s $65,000 contract with the NYS Office of Children and Family Services — nearly half the program’s overall cost — isn’t renewed this year .
As of now, both funding pots are excluded from the city’s and state’s 2012 executive budgets.
Bob Townley, executive director of Manhattan Youth, exuded confidence and optimism at the rally held in I.S. 89’s school auditorium, which was well-attended by the 2011 graduating eighth grade class. “There is no way this program won’t happen [next] year. I guarantee it,” said the director, prompting cheers among the youths and teachers.
But, behind the scenes, Townley expressed discouragement about the possible financial shortfall. “I don’t feel that good about the cuts, but I never give up,” he said. “Our [claim] is, this is ridiculous — it’s trump change for the city, but it’s very efficient money with a huge multiplier effect.” Manhattan Youth, which is approaching its 25th anniversary in November, he added, has to come up with a more sustainable economic model in order to keep up its programming.
The funds in question, according to Townley, are the only government subsidies that currently fund youth programs Downtown. If both expire, the organization would have to let go of 30 of its 40 after-school staff.
Financing after-school programs is “the best investment we can make,” according to District One Councilmember Margaret Chin, who helped restore the programs’ funding last year for the current school year. “All of you are going to be leaders in our city, and we have to invest in your future now,” she told the eighth graders at the rally.
“When they talk about preparing our kids for being competitive with the global market, they need to understand how important high-quality after-school programs are in realizing that goal,” echoed I.S. 89 Principal Ellen Foote.
Besides providing productive activities for the middle schoolers, I.S. 89’s after-school program heightens the youths’ chances of getting accepted into specialized high schools such as the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, according to Director Gabi Sasson. Its sports teams, she said, are also thriving; a record-breaking 76 students tried out for the soccer team this year, forcing the coach to create a separate junior varsity team so all the students could play.
Eighth-grader Rae Buttenweiser, who just received her acceptance letter from LaGuardia High School, has been an active participant in the school’s theater and cartoon workshops.
“When I think about all the times I’ve had in after-school with all my friends and counselors, I can’t help but smile, because we always have fun,” said Buttenweiser. “It breaks my heart there’s going to be some kids that can’t have experiences like mine.”
P.S. 150 Principal, Maggie Siena, said one of the first questions she is asked by parents thinking of sending their children to her school is whether or not the school has an after-school curriculum. “It makes a big difference to families to know the kids will be dismissed to responsible adults in a good program at the end of the day,” she said.
Without after-school programming, youths would be more prone to watch T.V. or play video games at home, according to Michael Iwachiw, on-site coordinator of P.S. 150’s after-school program. Approximately one-third of the school’s 170 students, he noted, participate in the afternoon sports and arts activities.
“This is an opportunity for them within the school setting to stay out of trouble, give the single parent a break, and take part in something that might enrich their situation,” Iwachiw said.
“For me, it’s been a blessing,” said Mayela Wilson, a single mother of 10-year-old P.S. 150 student Elisha Wilson, who partakes in filmmaking, chess and other after-school activities. “[The kids] are not just there sitting around. The staff really engages the students, and tries to find activities that really push them.”
Without the program, Mayela would have no one to look after her daughter until she is able to pick her up at 5:30 p.m., after the work day.
“For some parents [like me], they don’t have an option of hiring a babysitter,” said Wilson. “So you’d almost be putting your job against your child.”
