State awards Lynn $2M grant benefiting after-school programs

LYNN – The Lynn delegation announced $2 million in grants has been awarded state-wide for after-school and out-of-school programs by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for the State Budget for the Fiscal Year of 2011 on Tuesday.The state-funded programs are geared towards increasing high quality, comprehensive after-school and out-of-school time programs intended for school-aged youth during the school year and over the summer months.The programs have been created to work with community-based organizations and public school districts, which Sen. Thomas M. McGee, D-Lynn, said is important for Lynn’s youth.”Children with access to these programs perform better in school and are less likely to participate in risky behavior. There is overwhelming evidence that engaging young people in constructive activities outside of the regular school day is essential to their well-being,” McGee said.”I am very pleased that even during these difficult economic times, we were able to fund these programs and glad to see the benefits reaching the children of this district.”McGee was the driving force behind maintaining these resources. He co-chaired the Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time beginning in 2008, which reviewed the after-school system in the commonwealth and made recommendations to strengthen the programs.With the support of state Reps. Robert F. Fennell and Steven M. Walsh, both Lynn democrats, Mark V. Falzone, D-Saugus, and Lori Ehrlich, D-Marblehead, the programming has been consistently funded and will continue to be throughout the course of the next year.”The after-school programs in both Lynn and throughout the state will benefit greatly through these grants and will be able to further continue their mission of providing greater educational opportunities for our children,” Fennell said.”I commend Senator McGee for his diligent work on this issue and am pleased that even in these lean economic times, we will be able to place a priority on our youth through these critical programs.”As a result of the funding, thousands of youth will be able to participate in a number of activities including academic tutoring, arts, health and nutrition, community service programs and accelerated study for academically advanced students.”The quality programming, which these after-school and out-of-school grants enable to take place, add a vital component to the educational experience for our school-aged youth,” Falzone said.”The benefits are educational and also protect our young people from future trouble as their ambitions are engaged and their skills developed.”