Monthly Archives: May 2012

Advocates Urge OST & Child Care Supporters to Vote in Daily News Poll

May 25, 2012 6:19 pm Leave a Comment

Advocates are urging supporters of after-school and child care services to express their opinions regarding Mayor Michael Bloombergs proposed cuts to these programs in a poll being conducted by the Daily News.

As of this morning, 96% of respondents agree that “Yes, the damage these cuts make have serious repercussions for a family and community” while just 4% stat that “No, in tough economic times, all programs are fair game for cuts”.

Click here to read a Daily News article on the cuts and take the survey.

Filed Under: After School, Child Care, Finance, Nonprofit Headline News, Politics, Top News Tagged With: , ,

Parents Say Cuts Will Force Them to Give Up Jobs

May 25, 2012 6:12 pm Leave a Comment

Thousands of New York City parents say they will be forced to give up their jobs and stay home with their children if Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposed cuts to child care and Out-of-School Time (OST) programs go through as planned.   That was the findings of a survey conducted by the Campaign for Children, a coalition of advocacy and service organizations.  The Mayor’s budget for FY2012-2013, which begins on July 1st, calls for the elimination of after-school and child care services for 47,000 children.

Fully half of the parents (50%) currently using City subsidized child care services indicated that they would quit their jobs and stay home if the program was no longer available.  More than one-third (36%) of parents using after-school programs said the same.

In 16% of responses, parents who currently use after-school programs for their elementary and middle-school aged children said that they would leave the children home alone in the afternoons and during school holidays.   Approximately one-in-five parents (21%) using after-school and almost one quarter (23%) of parents using child care said they would leave their children with a relative.

The survey was conducted during the week of May 14-18 and the Campaign for Children received over 4,000 responses.

“If these cuts to child care and after-school are not restored, thousands of children will be left home alone, unsafe and unsupervised, without access to the educational, enriching environments that increase their likelihood of succeeding in school and decrease their likelihood of turning to drugs and violence,” said Jennifer March-Joly, Executive Director of Citizens’ Committee for Children and member of the Campaign for Children. “Thousands of parents will leave the workforce and be forced to turn to unemployment or public assistance just to provide for their families. In worst case scenarios, families will become homeless or children will be separated from their parents. This can’t be what New York City’s leaders want for our communities.”

“The results of this survey show the deeply troubling reality of what will happen to New York City if the cuts to child care and after-school are not restored in the final city budget,” said David Nocenti, Executive Director of Union Settlement. “This is a ripple effect that will harm our City’s children, working families, and economic stability in both the short and long terms. We urge Mayor Bloomberg, Speaker Quinn, and the City Council to listen to the voices of parents and fully fund child care and after-school in the final city budget.”

Click here to download the full report.

Filed Under: After School, Child Care, Finance, Nonprofit Headline News, Politics, Top News Tagged With: ,

Council Members Blast Youth Services Cuts at Hearing

May 25, 2012 6:09 pm Leave a Comment

New York City Council Members asked hard questions – and expressed some strongly worded negative opinions – about Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposed cuts to after-school programs during a budget hearing yesterday.  More than 32,000 young people will lose services due to the Mayor’s proposed elimination of approximately 220 Out-of-School Time (OST) and Beacon Programs.

Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) Commissioner Jeanne Mullgrav stated that budget pressures were forcing the cuts,  “Since 2009, OST has experienced a significant loss of City, State and Federal funding,” she told the Council.  “Funding decreased from $121 million for over 75,000 slots to $73 million for 27,000 slots in 2013.”  As a result, a new round of OST contracts being recommended by DYCD will see the closing of many high quality programs.  “Unfortunately, given the over 1,200 responses to the Request for Proposals, many proposals were not funded,” said Mullgrav. “This is not necessarily a reflection on the quality of their programming, but rather more a factor of limited resources and the high level of competition.”

“There cuts are penny wise and pound foolish,” said Council Member and Youth Services Committee Chair Lew Fidler.  “They are a lost education opportunity and a lost economic opportunity.  They will be devastating to families and children.”

“80% of problems our youth face are outside schools,” said Council Member Melissa Mark Viverito.  “We need these programs to help solve the City’s problems.  The disparity in this city continues to grow. The priorities are all upside down.”

“It’s disgraceful that poverty has grown in the City of New York under Mayor Bloomberg’s administration,” said Council Member Tish James.

“What is the cost of not funding Afterschool?” asked Council Member Brad Lander.  “Will we spend more on juvenile justice?”  He went on to talk about a boy in his district who had found himself in the Juvenile Justice system because his OST program had been cut.

“Have there been conversations about how these cuts will impact public safety?” asked Council Member Jumanaae Williams.

“I will vote no on the City Budget if cuts to youth services are not restored!”said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez. “New York City will not accept cuts to vital youth services!”

“The cuts are totally unacceptable,” said Council Member Robert Jackson. “To have youth services decimated is unacceptable!”

Advocates offered “real time” reporting during the hearing via twitter comments using the #campaign4children hash tag.

Filed Under: After School, Child Care, Nonprofit Headline News, Politics, Top News, Youths Tagged With: , , ,

Gov Proposes Executive Comp/Amin Regulations

May 17, 2012 2:18 pm Leave a Comment

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the release yesterday of proposed regulations to limit spending for administrative costs and executive compensation at state-funded not-for-profit and for-profit service providers.  The proposed regulations are designed to implement Executive Order 38, issued by Governor Cuomo in January 2012 to limit excessive compensation and administrative expenses at service providers that receive state funds or state-authorized payments of federal funds.

“These regulations are designed to ensure that New York taxpayers are protected and the public’s money is spent efficiently and effectively,” Governor Cuomo said. “Our providers of services in New York State are the finest in the nation. To ensure public confidence in those hard-working providers that play by the rules, these regulations will allow the state government to identify and stop the few providers that pocket taxpayer dollars rather than use them to serve the public.”

The proposed regulations cover providers that receive more than $500,000 in state support each year and receive at least 30% of their annual funding from the state.

Executive Compensation:

The proposed regulations block providers from spending more than $199,000 in state funds for the compensation of an executive. If a provider chooses to pay an executive more than $199,000 from other sources, the provider must keep compensation below the top 25 percent in the field, as determined by a compensation survey identified or recognized by the applicable state agency. Providers that pay an executive more than $199,000 must have the compensation approved by its board of directors, including at least two independent directors and must have performed a review of comparability data. In cases where competitive imperatives or the complexity of a provider’s operations require compensation that exceeds the limits and in other instances, providers may apply for a waiver.

Administrative Expenses:

The proposed regulations require that at least 75% of a provider’s operating expenses paid for with state funds are for program services rather than administrative costs. This percentage will increase by 5% each year until it reaches 85% in 2015. Capital expenses are not affected by this restriction. Waivers are available in certain circumstances.

Reporting:

The proposed regulations require providers to report annually the public funds it has received, the compensation of its executives and highest-paid employees, and its administrative expenses. Providers can file reports electronically using a simple, state-wide form, and they will not need to report to multiple agencies. This reporting requirement has been designed to avoid duplication with existing reporting requirements with which providers already must comply.

Enforcement:

The regulations include a process for providers to apply for a waiver to restrictions on executive compensation and administrative expenses. In addition, the proposed regulations provide for an administrative review process in cases where a provider appears to be out of compliance. The review process will provide extensive opportunities for providers to be heard and to correct any non-compliance over a period of at least 6 months prior to any penalties or actions being taken against them. If a violation is ultimately found and corrective action not taken by the provider, the proposed regulations include several potential actions, including redirecting the funding or imposing penalties.

Support from Nonprofit Leaders

The Governor’s announcement came complete with expressions of support from executives at a number of key nonprofit and human service associations.

“Governor Cuomo recognizes the critical role played by the nonprofit human services sector in caring for the State’s most needy and in being, itself, an economic engine for the State,” said Michael Stoller, Executive Director of the Human Services Council (HSC). “We join with him to ensure public confidence in both government and service providers by taking this important step to establish clear standards for executive compensation and administrative overhead. While technical details will need further discussion during the public comment period, these standards strike the right balance in identifying ‘bad apples’ while not overburdening the vast majority of nonprofit providers who ably care for our neighbors and family members in need. We look forward to working closely with the Governor and his staff in completing these regulations and in developing the most efficient, effective, and compassionate system of care the world has ever known.”

“NYSRA views Governor Cuomo’s compensation directive as highly sound public policy,” said Jeff Wise, President & CEO of the New York State Rehabilitation Association. “We believe the Governor has come up with an approach that strikes just the right balance: a directive that demonstrates responsible stewardship of public dollars while giving our not-for-profit community organizations, and their volunteer boards, the capacity to meet the challenges that face them. We recognize the Governor’s need to promote fiscal responsibility at every level, and we commend his efforts to pursue this in a rational and fair manner.”

“NYSARC has always strongly believed that it is accountable for public funds,” said John A. Schuppenhaur, President of the New York State Association of Regional Councils. “The Governor’s action will help ensure the public that in these challenging times we are indeed being accountable. That can only help safeguard the public trust which has always been so critical to our mission and the people and families we serve. Further, clear guidelines will help all nonprofit boards comply with their fiduciary responsibilities.”

The proposed regulations are being released today by thirteen state agencies and will be available for public comment beginning on May 30 for 45 days before being finalized. Each of the applicable agencies will post their draft proposed regulations on their web pages this afternoon.

Click here to download an example of the proposed regulations.

Filed Under: Finance, Nonprofit Headline News, Politics, Top News Tagged With: , ,

“Cut Now; Pay Later ” :De Blasio Puts Future Tab of Mayor’s Cuts at $845 Million

May 15, 2012 12:11 am Leave a Comment

Mayor Bloomberg’s proposed cuts to child care and afterschool programs will cost the City significantly more in the long run than they save now, according to a report released on Friday by Public Advocate Bill de Blasio.  Cut Now, Pay Later estimates the costs to educational outcomes, public health, crime and future budgets of eliminating child care and after school services for 47,000 children in this year’s budget. If enacted, says de Blasio, these cuts will have shrunk the capacity of programs by 61% since 2009.  He calculates this year’s proposed loss of 6,500 early care and education slots alone will lead to an additional $845 million in future costs for remediation, health care, lost wages and public safety.

“You cannot be an ‘Education Mayor’ if you tear early education and after school programs to pieces. These cuts—enacted year after year–will kick the stool out from under tens of thousands of working families, and set back an entire generation of kids,” said Public Advocate Bill de Blasio. “This is one of the best investments any government can make. It is staggering that in a $70 billion budget this Mayor has decided early education and after-school programs are not a priority.”

The report is based on nationally-recognized studies regarding the value of early-childhood and afterschool programs:

  • Every dollar invested in early education saves taxpayers up to $13 in future costs needed to remediate learning gaps and for additional services, notes the report. The loss of 6,500 early care and eduation slots therefore could translate into $845 million in future government costs.
  • Every dollar invested in child care generates $1.86 in additional spending, creating revenues to help local businesses expand and create jobs. EarlyLearn cuts alone will result in a loss of $121 million in economic activity for the State.
  • After-school programs keep children off the streets between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m., the window most closely associated with juvenile crime and victimization.
  • Studies show that 60% of parents with children in after-school programs miss less work hours, and 54% put in more hours on the job.
  • Early care and education improves health in nine out of the ten leading indicators for young children.

“In neighborhoods across the City, families rely on child care and afterschool services for survival,” said Council Member Annabel Palma, Chair of the Council’s Committee on General Welfare.

“Mayor Bloomberg’s proposed cuts to afterschool and child care are some of the most debilitating our City has ever seen,” said Council Member Margaret Chin. “In the Lower East Side and Chinatown, we stand to lose 70 percent of our afterschool programs and nearly 500 child care slots. All of these programs provide culturally and linguistically competent service and have a history of full enrollment.”

“Early childhood education is an investment in our future. Afterschool programming is an investment in our future,” said Council Member Stephen Levin.  “The fact that we have to have this debate every year is despicable… We are going to fight to protect our kids, our schools and the programs that our City needs to protect our future.”

“The proposed cuts to childcare services are truly shameful and will have a lasting and devastating effect to children citywide,” said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez.  “We will not stand by and allow this budget to be balanced at on the backs of the city’s most vulnerable, our children.”

“The proposed cuts to early childhood education and afterschool programs will be particularly devastating to low-income children and their families,” said Richard Buery, President and CEO of the Children’s Aid Society.

“Cutting child care and after-school programs for over 47,000 children is unacceptable, said Jennifer March-Joly, Executive Director of the Citizens’ Committee for Children. “The Mayor and the City Council must come together and negotiate a budget that protects every single one of these slots so that children can learn while their parents are at work.”

“Given the clear evidence the child care and afterschool programs keep parents working and improve children’s education, it is nothing short of disgraceful that the Mayor’s budget will deprive more than 47,000 children of these crucial services,” said Nancy Wackstein, Executive Director of United Neighborhood Houses.  “Public Advocate de Blasio’s report provides compelling evidence that the City should be expanding instead of decreasing its investment in child care and afterschool.”

“Despite all of the evidence proving the educational benefits and the positive economic impact of child care and afterschool, it is astonishing that this Mayor continues to shrink these critical systems and leave tens of thousands of children without the programs that are critical to their safety and future success.  Instead of saying ‘we can’t do everything’, the Mayor should be prioritizing children and making sure they are prepared to succeed in school,” said Jennifer Marino Rojas, Deputy Executive Director of the Children’s Defense Fund – New York.

To download a copy of the full report, visit www.advocate.nyc.gov/stop-the-cuts.

 

Filed Under: After School, Aging, Child Care, Finance, Nonprofit Headline News, Politics, Top News Tagged With: , , ,

Rallies Against Bloomberg Budget Cuts Continue

May 15, 2012 12:06 am Leave a Comment

Rallies expressing opposition against Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Executive Budget proposals, including plans to close 172 Out-of-School Time (OST) after-school programs and eliminate significant numbers of early childhood program slots are continuing to take place in communities across the city.

13% and Growing

The 13% and Growing Coalition gathered more than 200 community members, advocates and allies at City Hall for the 4th Annual Asian Pacific American (APA) City Advocacy Day to protest budget cuts and demand equitable funding for the Asian Pacific American community.  The 13% and Growing Coalition, co-led by the Coalition for Asian American Children & Families and the MinKwon Center for Community Action, unites over 45 Asian-led or serving organizations in the City to fight for a fair budget that protects the most vulnerable Asian Pacific American New Yorkers including children and youth, women, seniors, immigrants and low-income individuals.

“Mayor Bloomberg’s Executive Budget does not preserve the core city services needed to support the increased demand of the social safety net programs that he stated are crucial to this city,” said Wayne Ho, Executive Director of the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families.  “In the Asian Pacific American community, where 1 out of 4 live in poverty, agency programs and City Council Initiatives such as Out of School Time, Immigrant Opportunities Initiative, and Domestic Violence and Empowerment Initiative, are essential to providing services to those most in need.  We urge the Mayor to work with the New York City Council to restore these necessary programs in the Adopted Budget.”

“The Asian Pacific American community currently receives an exceedingly low share of city social service funds that does not recognize the striking increase of our population and our growing needs,” said Steve Choi, Executive Director of the MinKwon Center for Community Action. “These drastic cuts will exacerbate this disparity and disproportionately impact the Asian Pacific American community.”

“With the growing population of Asian Pacific Americans throughout the city, the massive cuts to vital services for low-income children and families are outrageous,” said Chhaya Chhoum, Executive Director of Mekong, a new non-profit serving the emerging Southeast Asian community in the Bronx. ” With 21% of all Asian Pacific American children living in poverty, we urge the City Council to create jobs through the Summer Youth Employment Program to give our youth the competitive skills they need to join the job force.  We also urge you to restore Immigrant Opportunities Initiative funding to provide the critical services needed in our growing immigrant and refugee communities.”

“Cuts to after-school programs harm our communities by eliminating both valuable services to our youth and jobs in our communities that provide much needed income,” said Udai Tambar, Executive Director of South Asian Youth Action.

“Adult literacy is fundamental to any job training and job placement work,” said Hong Shing Lee, Executive Director of Chinatown Manpower Project.  “We have to recognize and provide for this most basic foundation to help immigrant job seekers to become contributing members of society.”

“The Asian American senior population has grown 64% since 2000, the largest increase among major racial and ethnic groups,” said Linda Lee, Associate Executive Director of the Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York. “Asian American seniors also have the highest rates of suicide, and their poverty rates have increased while those of seniors of other racial and ethnic groups have declined.  These numbers are alarming and indicative of the vast need to protect our seniors and improve their quality of life by providing comprehensive programming.  We urge the city to restore Senior Center Funding and Elder Abuse Prevention services to prevent these alarming statistics from rising over the next ten years.”

“Domestic violence is increasing city-wide but funding is being reduced. City Council (DoVe) funding of domestic violence agencies saves lives and should be restored and increased,” said Larry Lee, Executive Director of the New York Asian Women’s Center.  “New York City should give extra credit to community based organizations that provide culturally competent and linguistically appropriate services.  Then Asians would receive the first quality human service assistance they deserve.”

Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens

Last week, Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens joined with children, parents, teachers and community leaders at an Emergency Town Hall Meeting at the P.S. 106 21st Century/ Out of School Time (OST) After-School Program in Bushwick, Brooklyn.  Among the speakers present were Councilman Erik M. Dilan, Nadine Whitted, District Manager for Community Board 4, and Margaret Kelley the Borough President’s Education Policy Analyst and Principal Robert Flores of P.S. 106.

OST/ P.S. 106 is one of two Catholic Charities programs with 300 children who will be left on the streets if funding is not restored. The other Catholic Charities OST program is at P.S. 50 program in South Jamaica, Queens—serving 250 children.

“These cuts are a devastating blow to the 600 families we serve in Bushwick, Brooklyn and South Jamaica Queens,” said Mary Hurson, Administrator of Family Services, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens. “There is no other alternative for many low-income families. An essential part of their support system has collapsed. Te CCBQ Out-of-School Time programs are essential to helping children succeed academically and to develop positive social skills. Afterschool programs are an alternative to the streets for many children and the only safe option for hard working parents.”

Tonight at Riis Settlement

Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement House will be joining with Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer to host its own Emergency Town Hall Meeting this evening.  Two of Riis’ OST programs are on the chopping block.  Tonight’s event is scheduled from 6:30-8:00 at Riis’ headquarters in the Queensbridge Houses at 10-25 41st Avenue in Long Island City.

City funding supports Riis Settlement after-school programs in the Queensbridge Houses and at P.S. 166.  If funding is not restored 217 elementary school children will lose their afterschool programming, says the group which is also fighting to maintain slots for 150 adults enrolled in its English classes.

Filed Under: After School, Child Care, Finance, Nonprofit Headline News, Politics, Top News Tagged With: ,

The Number of Ph.D.s on Public Aid Triples in U.S.

May 11, 2012 8:11 pm Leave a Comment

Elliott Stegall, 51 and father of two, has been pressed financially as he pursues his graduate degree and teaches two English college courses a semester. (Jeff Haller for The Chronicle of Higher Education)

The life of an academic who pays hundreds of thousands of dollars in tuition and lives off stipends and scholarhips is becoming more financially treacherous. A skyrocketing number of Americans with Ph.D.s say they are facing a reality in which they are turning to food stamps to survive.

One in six Americans received food stamps or other public assistance last year, but the number of people with a Ph.D. or Masters degree who receive that aid has tripled in the past two years, according to government data.

In a story published by The Chronicle of Higher Education this week Ph.D. holders and students who are teaching on the non-tenure track in community colleges and universities bemoaned their prospects.

Elliott Stegall, 51, is pursuing a Ph.D. in film studies at Florida State University while he teaches two English courses at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, Fla.

To help support their two young children, he and his wife rely, in part, on food stamps, Medicaid and aid from the USDA program, Women, and Infants and Children (WIC).

“I tend to look at my experience as a humanist, as someone who is fascinated by human culture,” he told the Chronicle. “Maybe it was a way of hiding from the reality in which I found myself. I never thought I’d be among the poor.”

He and his wife also have worked part-time jobs as house painters and cleaners and food caterers.

“As a man, I felt like I was a failure. I had devoted myself to the world of cerebral activity. I had learned a practical skill that was elitist,” he said. “Perhaps I should have been learning a skill that the economy supports.”

Various factors, mostly related to the down economy and state and local educational budget cuts, have helped drive educational institutions to rely more on part-time or adjunct professors. They are paid much less than regular professors and get few or no benefits.

Overall, 44 million people were on food stamps on a monthly basis in 2011, compared with 17 million in 2000, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The number of people with Ph.D.s who received some kind of public assistance more than tripled to 33,655 in 2010 from 9,776 in 2007, according to Austin Nichols, a senior researcher from the Urban Institute, who used data from the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Bureau of Labor.

“While on average higher learning still results in higher salaries, the promise of that financial payoff isn’t materializing for some,” Sara Hebel, senior editor with The Chronicle of Higher Education, said. “And for growing numbers of people with advanced degrees, they have not been insulated from financial hardship for a number of reasons.”

Of the 22 million Americans with master’s degrees or higher in 2010, about 360,000 were receiving some kind of public assistance, according to the latest Current Population Survey released by the U.S. Census Bureau in March 2011.

The number of people with master’s degrees who received some kind of aid grew to 293,029 from 101,682 over the same three-year period.

The average salary for U.S. professors is $82,556, according to an annual report from the American Association of University Professors, released in April.

“People off the tenure track now make up 70 percent of faculties. People in those positions often have working conditions that can be tough, including not knowing from semester to semester how many courses they might teach,” Hebel said.

That leads to an inconsistent income for adjunct professors, which is often much lower than a tenured faculty member.

“On average, higher educational attainment does translate into higher salaries. That’s the promise of education,” Hebel said. “It’s just that for a growing numbers of people, advanced degrees haven’t insulated them from financial hardship.”

 

Filed Under: Career Connector, Finance, Food, Health, Housing, Nonprofit Headline News, Politics, Top News Tagged With: , , , , ,

Seniors Turn Out to Fight Cuts

May 11, 2012 8:00 pm Leave a Comment

Senior citizens from senior centers throughout the city came together at City Hall on Wednesday to advocate for $26 million in restorations to services funded through the Department for the Aging. These services directly impact their lives and those of their families, friends and neighbors.  Senior citizen delegations had appointments with 49 of the 51 Council Members in their 250 Broadway offices to discuss the damage these budget cuts would do to their lives and other older New Yorkers.

“New York City’s older adult population is growing rapidly. Each day for the next 19 years, nationally, 10,000 baby boomers will turn 65,” said Igal Jellinek, Executive Director, Council of Senior Centers and Services (CSCS). “The fastest growing segment of NYC’s population now is the age 85+. Case managers assisting homebound elderly, an invisible population, labor under caseloads of 90, an extraordinarily high caseload due to previous cuts. An increasing number of elder abuse victims are seeking assistance while funding is threatened every year. Other services critical to allowing elders to remain in their homes like transportation, NORCs, and senior center funding need to be restored.  Funds for adult day programs were totally eliminated two years ago and seniors are calling out for a restoration. Adult day programs are for people with Alzheimer’s and provide much needed respite to overwhelmed family caregivers. CSCS remains steadfast in its opposition to cuts placing vulnerable elderly New Yorkers in situations that threaten their social, emotional and health safety.”

“With the elderly population expected to grow by 50% over the next two decades, protecting senior services is about our city’s future,” said Councilwoman Jessica Lappin, Chair, Committee on Aging. “We had a major victory in getting the Mayor to baseline senior center funding last year, and we’ll continue fighting this year to save elder abuse prevention, transportation and other crucial programs.”

Filed Under: Aging, Finance, Nonprofit Headline News, Politics, Top News Tagged With: , , ,

Over 3,000 Protest Proposed Cuts in Northern Manhattan

May 9, 2012 4:36 pm Leave a Comment

Thousands of advocates, providers, parents and children from Northern Manhattan turned out yesterday afternoon – together with a host of elected officials — to rally against Mayor Bloomberg’s proposed cuts to childcare and after-school services.   The area, they say, will be left with 1,500 – 3,000 fewer afterschool slots for neighborhood children come September 1st as a result of the cut. The four Northern Manhattan Council Districts alone will lose a total twenty-six separate Out-of-School Time (OST) programs.

“These cuts will have devastating consequences for the future of our city, our community and our children”, said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, who was joined by fellow Council Members Robert Jackson and Melissa Mark-Viverito. “When college dropout rates and college retention rates remain at alarmingly detrimental levels, it falls on the leaders of our city to invest in child care and after school programs rather than cut them….The people of Northern Manhattan have spoken and we will not tolerate the city budget being balanced on the backs of our children.”

“Cutting 45,000 after-school and child care slots will harm our students, parents, and communities,” said NYS Senator Adriano Espaillat. “We stand united in demanding the restoration of these cuts.”

“The current economic reality for America’s families is already harsh,” said  Congressman Charles B. Rangel.  “More than ever, families in our community depend on the afterschool programs to keep their children safe while they are working.”

Nonprofit provider agency executives also turned out in force to speak out against the proposed cuts.  They addressed a crowd which organizers estimated at over 3,000 strong.

“This will be the fifth straight year the Mayor has cut child care and after-school programs,” said Richard R. Buery, Jr., President and CEO of The Children’s Aid Society.  “This year alone, the combined effects of the new cuts and changes to the early childhood and after-school systems will eliminate these essential programs for more than 45,000 NYC children.  Northern Manhattan is being hit particularly hard.”

“As a manager for after school programs for the last 30 years, including the last 14 years for the PAL, I find it disturbing that anyone would suggest children be asked to sacrifice,” said Al Kurland of the Police Athletic League.

“These cuts will have a devastating impact on the community of Northern Manhattan”said Soledad Hiciano, Executive Director Community Association of Progressive Dominicans (ACDP)

“We’re gathering today to show how misguided the the Bloomberg administration is,” said Angelo Ortiz, Youth Services Director at Inwood Community Services, Inc.

“To deny our children this vital service will not only help to stunt the growth and development of our children but reek havoc on every family that is affected,” said Yvonne Stennett, Executive Director, CLOTH.

“The most significant cut is that we lost all of our Elementary OST slots from 145th to Dyckman. Where will our 900 youth go without mentioning all of the children on our waiting list.” said Eddie Silverio, Director of Youth Services at Alianza Dominicana, Inc.

Filed Under: After School, Child Care, Finance, Nonprofit Headline News, Politics, Top News Tagged With: , , ,

It’s “Lights Out” for After-School with More Rallies Scheduled

May 9, 2012 4:32 pm Leave a Comment

Opposition to Mayor Bloomberg’s proposed cuts to after-school and early childhood programs will be the theme at several additional rallies now scheduled in communities across the City today.  The Campaign for Children – a coalition of youth services and early childhood service providers – has dubbed these events “Lights Out” Day in an effort to drive home the message of what the closing of 172 after-school programs serving almost 25,000 young people will mean to the City.

Members of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens P.S. 106 21st Century/ Out of School Time (OST) Program will join parents, family members, community members, elected officials, and other organizations at an Emergency Town Hall Meeting to save one of many after-school programs facing closure.  The closing of OST/ P.S. 106 – just one of the 172 programs slated for elimination – will leave 300 children without constructive activities after school every day.   The Town Hall Event will take place from 3:00-4:00 p.m. this afternoon at P.S. 106 Edward E. Hale, 1328 Putnam Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11221.  Particpants will gather in the front yard (Wilson Ave between Putnam and Cornelia Ave) or in the P.S. 106 Auditorium if it rains.

As we reported yesterday, a “Lights Out” event will also be held by Cypress Hills Neighborhood Development Corporation at 3:30 this afternoon at Crescent and Fulton Streets.

Also at 3:30 this afternoon after-school students from P.S.150 Q in Sunnyside will march through the neighborhood and return for a rally in the P.S. 150 Q school yard.  Joining them will be parents, teachers and elected officials including Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer.   Judy Zanqwill, Executive Director of Sunnyside Community Services will also address the gathering.  PS 150 Q is located at 40-01 43 Avenue, Sunnyside, NY 11104.

NIA Community Services Network has schedule three separate rallies at 4:00 today in support of its OST programs at P.S. 186, 7601 19th Avenue; P.S. 229 (1400 Benson Avenue) and I.S. 281 (8787 24th Avenue).  NIA is scheduled to lose its programs at P.S. 186 and P.S. 229.

Tomorrow in Chinatown

Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) is also urging supporters to attend a rally tomorrow evening, May 10th, at 6:00 p.m. at P.S. 124 (40 Division Street).  As a result of budget cuts and newly announced contract eliminations, the CPC will lose four early child care programs — Chung Pak Day Care, Garment Industry Day Care,Jacob Riis Child Care Center, Little Star of Broome Street – and three OST programs — Confucius Plaza’s SACCC at P.S. 124, Pike Street’s SACCC at P.S. 2, and Queens’ Day Care at P.S. 20.

“For over 40 years, parents have trusted CPC to provide their children with quality childcare,” said CPC Executive Director David Chen. “At least 500 children in CPC child care programs will be deprived of enrichment programs and social spheres where they previously nurtured friendships and cultivated interpersonal skills.”

Filed Under: After School, Child Care, Finance, Nonprofit Headline News, Politics, Top News Tagged With: , , ,
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