A beloved Bayside Beacon program has survived yet another year of budget cuts.
The City Council fully restored next year’s funding to the after-school enrichment program at M.S. 158 Marie Curie.
It was slated for closure, just as it was last year when the Department of Youth and Community Development tried to shut down seven Beacons across the city.
“Our after-school programs are vital community resources,” said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, “and now Bayside’s children will be able to continue to utilize these valuable services.”
Martenia Miller, site director of the school’s Beacon program, called it a “support system” that has worked for 20 years.
She added it is the only such program within Community Board 11.
More than 100 students take part in the enrichment program daily.
“These cuts would have been detrimental to the safety and well-being of the children in my district,” said Assemblymember Ed Braunstein.
Beacon operates after school, on weekends, school holidays and throughout the summer. It provides help on homework along with leadership and skill growth for both youths and adults.
“We fought to ensure that our community was not short-changed,” said Assemblymember Nily Rozic. “Together we will work to continue these invaluable services that every family deserves and make sure that our students’ education is always a priority.”
The Council maintained funding for the city’s 66 Beacon programs.
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