Mayor Eric Adams Announces Expansion of Free After-School Programs in NYC
Mayor Eric Adams revealed plans to open dozens of new locations offering free after-school programs to city kids this upcoming fall. This initiative is part of a $331 million investment in universal after-school programming that City Hall secured during budget negotiations earlier this year.
The 40 new sites, including 37 public schools and three charter schools, will provide an additional 5,000 after-school seats for K-5 students starting in September, at a cost of $21 million. The remaining funds will be gradually rolled out to create nearly 20,000 more seats by fall 2027, serving a total of 184,000 students annually for a cost of $755 million.
Keith Howard, commissioner of the city’s Department of Youth and Community Development, emphasized the importance of expanding after-school opportunities to alleviate pressure on working parents, especially in low-income neighborhoods. The selection of locations prioritized areas without existing after-school programs, low-income neighborhoods, those with high rates of violent crime, and regions with a significant number of students with disabilities or English language learners.
The full list of new locations includes schools in various boroughs, with a focus on addressing the highest needs in the city. With this expansion, the total number of free after-school programs operating in New York City is expected to reach approximately 1,050 next year, according to the DYCD.
New York Junior Tennis and Learning, a selected provider for the expansion, will operate out of P.S. 152 in the South Bronx. Udai Tambar, the president and CEO, expressed the organization’s belief in providing young people with opportunities to reach their full potential through after-school programs.
