$4.5M To Expand Boys And Girls Club Of New Rochelle Learning Centers

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Students in New Rochelle will get a leg up thanks to a massive federal funding influx for after-school and summer school programs.

The Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle has been awarded almost $4.5 million for after-school and summer school programs for New Rochelle school district students. The programs will serve students from Albert E. Leonard Middle School, Isaac E. Young Middle School and New Rochelle High School.

"My top priority has always been centering kids and their futures in everything we do," Congressman Jamaal Bowman said announcing the funding boon. "I am incredibly proud to see this partnership between the Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle and the City School District of New Rochelle supported through $4.5 million federal dollars. Truly empowering our youth requires the full investment of our schools and community partners such as the Boys and Girls Club. The partnership we see here today is a prime example of the comprehensive approach outlined in my bill, the Green New Deal for Public Schools, on how we can fully support students academically."

The funds will be distributed to the Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle in annual payments of $911,732 through June 2027, in order to provide innovative programs designed to empower local youth to excel academically, become good citizens, and lead healthy and productive lives. The award is an important step in the club's ongoing fundraising efforts to expand the scope and breadth of its youth development services in New Rochelle.

The Boys and Girls Club said 450 New Rochelle school district students will benefit from the after-school and summer school programs, which will focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM). Afterschool opportunities will be provided for 15 hours weekly for 32 weeks of the regular school year and there will be six weeks of summer school programs. Programs will also help families navigate college applications, financial aid and alternative career pathways.

"The Boys & Girls Club is extremely grateful to be able to reach more youth in our schools, clubhouses, and community by providing a continuum of achievement-driven programming and youth services," CEO Becky Mazzanobile said. "Our middle and high school students — especially — need safe spaces and opportunities to access social and emotional supports from caring adults, which we now are able to provide by partnering with the School District of New Rochelle. Our youth have asked us for welcoming, fun, learning environments, and we’re grateful to the School District of New Rochelle, state and local representatives, community leaders, and parents for collaborating to make this happen for club members, families, and New Rochelle as a whole.”

The BGCNR programs were designed to engage, inspire and empower participants by focusing on academic support, health and wellness education, character and leadership. In order to have ongoing and meaningful planning and decisions about programs, parents, students, Boys & Girls Club staff, New Rochelle school district staff and members of the community will be invited to participate in the program advisory committee.

“We are enormously grateful to receive this highly competitive 21st Century Grant focusing on after-school and summer enrichment programs for our middle school and high school students," Board of Education President Julia Muggia Ochs said. "I thank our superintendent, Jonathan Raymond, for prioritizing and leveraging community relationships, including our relationship with our long-time partner The Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle in service to our students."

The New York State Department of Education is administering the federal grant funds. The grants were awarded through a competitive, peer-reviewed process, with funding going to school districts with high percentages of disadvantaged students.