The Center for Youth and Community Development (CFYCD), an Adams County non-profit, has been awarded five grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), totaling over one million dollars a year for the next five years.
The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grants are competitive grants that provide federal funding to establish community learning centers that provide academic, artistic, and cultural enrichment opportunities for students and their families during non-school hours. These funds, which are incredibly important to the rural communities of Adams County, were secured through a competitive funding announcement. This funding is available through federal legislation and the support of Senator Bob Casey as well as guided at the state level through support our elected officials including Representative Dan Moul.
This initiative is the only federal funding source dedicated exclusively to supporting local after-school and summer learning programs. The grants will serve up to 500 Adams County youth and their families. These funds were awarded to multiple locations for afterschool programming in all 6 school districts (Fairfield, Bermudian Springs, Conewago Valley, Gettysburg, Littlestown, and Upper Adams) in Adams County. St. Francis Xavier School in Gettysburg is also included in the grant funding.
The CFYCD Afterschool Program and its partners has offered academic afterschool programs onsite for students in grades K-12 throughout Adams County and outlying areas for over a decade. On average, the afterschool programs serve hundreds of families and their children. For the 2024-2025 school year, CFYCD will offer FREE programming regardless of income, for 2.5 hours per day Monday through Friday beginning at the last bell. The programs provide a variety of educational experiences including help with homework/tutoring, positive character development, academic enrichment, environmental exploration, career development options, fitness and healthy lifestyle activities, STEM projects, and social-emotional learning. Visiting musicians, artists, and various community partners are Included in the curriculum.
Online enrollment for CFYCD Afterschool Programs will begin later this summer with registration in English and Spanish. The link will be available on the website at https://www.cfygettysburg.com/afterschool.
The Center for Youth and Community Development is the home of Collaborating for Youth (CFY) – a community coalition working to develop the positive potential of youth within safe and supportive families and communities. The offices are located at 233 West High Street in Gettysburg, PA. For more information about the CFYCD Afterschool Program located in your school call Heather at (717) 338 0300 x108 or heather@cfygettysburg.com.