NY Students lobby for after school funding
Hundreds of kids gather at State Capitol in Albany
WNYT, Albany, NY
By
BILL LAMBDIN
Posted 2/28/2006
http://www.wnyt.com/x7218.xml?ag=x995&sb=x183
Hundreds of students from throughout the state came to Albany Tuesday to push for expanded after school activities. They argue it's an investment that can help everyone.
According to the Coalition for After School Funding, 25 percent of the nation's children—more than 14 million kids—take care of themselves after the school day ends, usually because the parent or parents are working.
That can lead to hanging out on the streets, getting into trouble and not doing your homework.
The gathering looked like your typical school assembly. But this was an assembly in Albany at the Capitol complex about schools.
“The children need a safe place to be after school,” said Kimberlee Berben, executive director of Greenbush Child Caring.
A place where they can get help with homework, participate in productive, educational activities and help avoid temptation.
“They would probably be hanging out on the street or they'd be at home unsupervised because most of the parents are working parents and they need the programs,” said Jane Quinn of the Children's Aid Society.
There are after school programs in many parts of the state now, but slots are limited and often cost money that many families can't afford. State funding opens more slots and makes more programs available.
Although this is the eighth consecutive year for the lobbying effort, Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno says they don't really need to even show up.
“See, they don't even have to lobby us because we're supportive for after school programs. There's money there and there's going to be additional money there,” Bruno said.
But after school program leaders still think legislators need some encouragement.
“I think this is democracy in action. I think this is a bedrock principle of American government that citizens let their elected officials know how they want their tax dollars to be spent,” Quinn said.
The Coalition for After School Funding is pushing the Legislature to roughly double the state's contribution to about $60 million.
Posted 3/10/06
