Senator Rachel May Announces Funding for After-School Programming

Syracuse, NY - Senator Rachel May (D-Onondaga, Madison, Oneida) is proud to announce that Syracuse City School District has been awarded $312,000 from the Empire State After-School Program. This funding is awarded to high needs school districts and community organizations. 

In January 2019, Senator May held a roundtable on after school programs in Syracuse. Participants highlighted the need for better and more consistent funding for our after school programs. Parents and providers both discussed how vital these programs are for our youth and the direct impact they have on a student’s health and wellbeing, such as providing a safe space to be in the evening, free hygiene products, access to food banks and clothing closets, as well as assistance signing up for food stamps and Medicaid. 

“I am thrilled that SCSD is receiving additional funding for its after-school programs. As a consistently under-funded school district, we must provide additional support where we can to ensure our students are being looked after,” said Senator May. “The staff at our after-school programs do some of the most important work in our community. I will be working hard this year to increase funding for all of our schools so that we are living up to our responsibility of providing equitable education for our kids.”

Additionally, the Booker T. Washington Community Center of Auburn, which serves the Auburn City School District in neighboring Cayuga County, received $163,200 in funding for their after school programs. 

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