The grant is designed to provide academic enrichment opportunities for students at after-school sites.
21st Century Community Learning Centers provide a range of high-quality services to support student learning and development, including academic enrichment, tutoring and mentoring, and homework help, as well as music, arts, sports and cultural activities.
According to Starke County Youth Club Executive Director Irene Szakonyi, programs will be expanded to the middle school level. Programs will be added for Knox Middle School and North Judson-San Pierre students in the fall. Oregon-Davis has a program at their Junior/Senior High School.
Szakonyi added that out of the 78 applicants, the Starke County Youth Club’s proposal ranked fourth. The reimbursable grant is worth $175,000.
This year’s awards will be funded for four years and five months based upon annual reviews and successful implementation. Those involved in the Starke County Youth Club hope that goals can be met to continue with this grant for the allotted four years. They will strive for student achievement and overall improvement of the program.
Overall, more than $11 million in grants was awarded.
