After-school programs get $3.8M boost

The new city budget includes $3.8 million for The After-School Corporation (TASC) which assists more than 130 community-based organizations and strives to guarantee free accessibility to quality after-school programs for every child.
Although not an actual after-school provider, TASC, established in 1998, apportions money so that after-school programs can continue to stay in operation. In conjunction with state and federal assistance, TASC helps in leveraging funding for over 200 programs in New York.
With the City Council's approval, on Thursday, June 29, 2006, the $52.9 billion 2007 budget was passed and includes an allotment of $3.8 million to TASC in order to both maintain and expand after-school programming throughout the city.
&#8220We are very grateful for this funding; the Council has been very supportive,” said John Albert, a spokesperson for the TASC.
The first $2.5 million will be utilized to restore 29 already existing programs across New York City. In this way, TASC will be able to use the remaining $1.3 million as additional funding for after-school programs in un-reached areas.
Of the 29 programs receiving funding, 5 are located in Queens. They are:
YMCA of Greater New York/Flushing YMCA-P.S. 120
Sunnyside Community Services-P.S. 199
Police Athletic League, Inc.-P.S. 118
YMCA of Greater New York/Catalpa Center-P.S. 139
YMCA of Greater New York/Cross Island YMCA-P.S. 197.