June 2, 2011 By Christian Murray
Students from Sunnyside Community Services’ after-school program at P.S. 150 took to the streets of Sunnyside last week in a spirited march to save their program.
Waving signs and chanting “Save our after-school,” the students joined up with a group of after-schoolers from P.S. 199, before returning to their schoolyard to deliver testimony and share their feelings about the program they hope will return in September.
Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, who attended the rally, applauding the children’s advocacy efforts while regretting the necessity for them. Van Bramer promised he would continue to fight for the restoration of funds, which is needed to keep the program going.
Judy Zangwill, Sunnyside Community Services’ executive director, called on parents, grandparents, caregivers, staff, youth, and everyone who cares about after-school programs to call 311 and tell the mayor to “save after-school programs by restoring funds to Out-of-School Time programs.”
The NYC budget will be finalized later this month.
