Youth Community Connections learned today that the U.S. Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee passed a fiscal year 2011 education spending bill that would divert funding from 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Grants to extend the school day.   Please see the Action Alertposted by the Afterschool Alliance urging people to ask congress to use these funds for afterschool and summer learning opportunities – not extending the school day.

The Senate Committee on Appropriations will meet tomorrow (Thursday, July 29, 2010) at 2:30 PM to vote on the 2011 education spending bill. 

Youth Community Connections and its stakeholders believe all children and youth need access to learning in the classroom and in the community through afterschool and summer programs.  When young people have access to both types of learning opportunities it helps the young people themselves, and it helps communities create safe places for families. 

In recent dialogs with youth across the State of Minnesota, they recognized the value and importance of afterschool and summer programs.  Specifically, the youth stated afterschool and summer programs helped make learning relevant and provided critical opportunities to lead and to discover their passions.

If you want the Senate to keep funding for 21st CCLC targeted to afterschool and summer programs contact Minnesota’s Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken and ask them to urge their peers on the Senate Appropriation Committee not to divert funding for afterschool.

Youth Community Connections
200 Oak Street SE, Suite 270B ~ Minneapolis, MN 55455
PH: 612.627.0160
WEB: www.youthcommunityconnections.org