College Receives $100,000 Grant for Division of Access and Community Engagement (DACE)

 On Monday, September 23, 2019, the New York Life Foundation announced a $100,000 grant to Community College of Philadelphia, in partnership with the Afterschool Alliance. Grants were awarded to 26 youth development organizations across the country to support middle school youth during the out-of-school time (OST) hours. The grants mark the third year of awards made under the Foundation’s Aim High education initiative, and this year’s grants bring the total awarded under the program to $3.45 million. Afterschool, summer and expanded learning programs nationwide were selected for grants through a competitive application process.

Community College of Philadelphia’s Division of Access and Community Engagement (DACE) will use the funds to establish a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) enrichment program focused on robotics and math enrichment for middle school students called STEM College Experience (SCE). This program will serve as an expansion of the long-standing and successful Advanced College Experience (ACE) program.

”The support from the New York Life Foundation will have a profound impact on the children in our community. This support will enable us to strengthen Philly’s K-16 pipeline by expanding STEM opportunities for middle school youth,” said Donald Guy Generals, president of Community College of Philadelphia. “We’re beyond grateful and we look forward to putting this generous support to good use.”

“Community College of Philadelphia and our other 25 grantees do vital work in their communities. Middle school is a vulnerable time for students, and without these programs children and youth would be without a safe, productive and enriching place to go after school or during the summer,” said Marlyn Torres, senior program officer, New York Life Foundation

Research has shown that for disadvantaged students, additional learning time in the form of high-quality afterschool, expanded day and summer programs leads to greater academic achievement, better school attendance and more engaged students. Further, a successful transition from 8th to 9th grade – middle school to high school in most cases – is particularly critical to student success.

“We’re delighted to partner with the New York Life Foundation in this effort,” said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant. “The Foundation continues to do terrific work in this area, supporting children at a vital time in their development. These grants change lives by supporting OST programs that keep kids safe, inspire learning, and give working parents peace of mind in the afternoon and during the summer.”

In 2017, the first year of the Aim High program, the New York Life Foundation awarded $750,000 to 18 recipients, with grant periods of one or two years. In 2018, the Foundation expanded the program, awarding $1.35 million to 26 additional organizations. This year’s $1.35 million in Aim High grants brings the total amount awarded to $3.45 million, given to 70 organizations, in all. Since 2013, the New York Life Foundation has invested more than $41 million in national middle school OST efforts.