Wakeman Memorial Association Inc

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM AT WAKEMAN BOYS & GIRLS CLUB'S MADISON AVENUE CLUBHOUSE - WAKEMAN BOYS & GIRLS CLUB (WBGC) IS REQUESTING SUPPORT FOR THE MADISON AVENUE CLUBHOUSE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM IN BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES SAFE, AFFORDABLE, AND HIGH-QUALITY OUT-OF-SCHOOL PROGRAMMING FOR YOUTH IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12TH GRADE DURING CRITICAL AFTER-SCHOOL HOURS. THE MADISON AVENUE CLUBHOUSE PRIMARILY SERVES YOUTH FROM LOW-TO-MODERATE INCOME FAMILIES. FUNDING WILL SUPPORT COMPREHENSIVE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMMING FOCUSED ON FOUR PRIORITY AREAS: ACADEMIC SUCCESS, CHARACTER & LEADERSHIP, HEALTHY LIFESTYLES, AND LIFE & WORKFORCE READINESS. FUNDING WILL SUPPORT CRITICAL STAFFING POSITIONS INCLUDING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS, PROGRAM COORDINATORS, SAFETY PERSONNEL, MEMBERSHIP AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT STAFF, TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, AND TRAUMA-INFORMED WELLNESS SUPPORT. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO SUPPORT DIRECT OPERATING EXPENSES INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIPS, ENRICHMENT SUPPLIES, FOOD, TRANSPORTATION, SPECIALTY PROGRAMS, AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL WELLNESS INITIATIVES. TRANSPORTATION IS A MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE PROGRAM AND INCLUDES DAILY SCHOOL PICK-UPS THAT ALLOW CHILDREN FROM ACROSS BRIDGEPORT TO SAFELY ACCESS AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMMING. THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO CLOSE OPPORTUNITY GAPS AND HELP YOUNG PEOPLE BECOME CONFIDENT, HEALTHY, AND PREPARED FOR SUCCESS IN SCHOOL, CAREERS, AND LIFE. THROUGH STRONG PARTNERSHIPS, EXPERIENCED STAFF, AND EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMMING, WBGC PROVIDES YOUTH WITH THE SUPPORT, SKILLS, AND OPPORTUNITIES THEY NEED TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AND BUILD A POSITIVE FUTURE.