|
After-school activity programs pay off
Skillman Foundation reports $25 million invested for kids over
decade
by Kim Kozlowski / The Detroit News / September 26, 2002
For more articles on disabilities and special ed visit
www.bridges4kids.org.
Two years ago, 10-year-old DeAngelo Bulley used to get out of
school, go home and play Nintendo games.
Now, with a thriving after-school program at Bellevue
Elementary School, he spends time after classes learning to
use his in-line skates, participating in art programs and
attending movie nights.
"It's fun," Bulley said. "I like it when they let us learn and
show you how to build stuff."
Bulley's new-found activities will deter him from falling into
high-risk behavior, such as substance abuse and youth
violence, experts say. But 10 years ago, many programs like
these were not accessible to children who lived in Detroit,
Highland Park and Hamtramck.
A report unveiled Wednesday by the Skillman Foundation showed
the progress that has been made in the last decade, when the
private foundation launched an initiative to improve
after-school programs.
Since then, 33 parks and four recreation centers have been
refurbished, more than $25 million invested and thousands of
new children have been reached.
Skillman's initiative resulted in a youth commission, more
awareness of existing after-school programs and more
collaboration between the estimated 500 organizations that
offer after school programs. There also has been more funding
garnered for the providers, who have learned how to write
grants and find new sources of revenues for their programs.
"We're definitely on the right track," said Randy McNeil,
executive director of the Youth Sports and Recreation
Commission. "We've made signification steps to providing
access to after school programs for children."
| 