Weekly Media Roundup: March 31, 2021

American Rescue Plan Gives Out-of-school Time Programs Big Role in Pandemic Recovery, Youth Today

The American Rescue Plan includes historic funding for afterschool and summer learning programs, which will support communities across the nation as they recover from the pandemic by helping students catch up academically, supporting students socially and emotionally, connecting families to resources and more. State afterschool networks are working to educate programs on how apply for these funds, which will greatly expand students’ access to out-of-school programming.  “It’s what the field has been asking for for a long time,” Erik Peterson, senior vice president of policy for the Afterschool Alliance, told Youth Today. “Students and families need a lot of support this summer and going into next school year.”

Local Organization Re-Opens, Plans to Give Back, KVEO-TV (Texas)

After a year of virtual programming, the Boys and Girls Club of Mission, Texas is welcoming back members of its afterschool program for in-person enrichment starting April 5. “It’s huge, you know? We are excited. I have kids of my own, and we know that being stuck at home, losing that everyday routine, you know it has been weighted heavily,” Interim Director Rick Venecia told KVEO-TV. The club will open at 50 percent capacity for indoor programs and 100 percent for outdoor activities. It will also provide free memberships to families in need. “We want to provide services for every human, every one of our youth that’s in our community, not just the ones who can afford them,” Venecia said.

Pueblo Boys and Girls Club Awarded Grant from NASA to Help Bolster STEM Education, Pueblo Chieftain (Colorado)

Thanks to a $175,000 NASA grant, the Boys and Girls Club of Pueblo County, Colorado will be able to expand its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) offerings for rural and minority students. “We have done STEM-related activities at the Boys and Girls Club for over 25 years and we have a strong relationship with the university (CSU Pueblo),” Angela Giron, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Pueblo County, told the Pueblo Chieftain. “We always want to expand our program and be able to do more. This grant helps us do that.” The additional funding will support the club’s virtual Indoor Farming Innovation Zone that focuses on hydroponics and aquaponics as well as the creation of a new STEM laboratory. “It's about trying to spark the interest and curiosity that kids have and then steer them in an area that is a financially rewarding career,” Giron said.

Youth Center Offers Boxing Classes for Community, Spectrum News 1 (Ohio)

At the Hamilton Young People Empowered (HYPE) afterschool program in Hamilton, Ohio students learn life skills, get academic support, and learn to box. Shaqulia Mathews created the low-cost program to give students an emotional outlet, help them stay physically fit, and connect them with mentors. “It calms me down a lot," student Ethan Hicks told Spectrum News 1. "And I can do this in my free time, and I don’t have to worry about getting in trouble.”