After-school and tutoring leaders urge council to preserve out-of-school-time funding

Representatives of After School All Stars Cleveland and parents from the Reach Success tutoring program told the council that out-of-school-time programming at city recreation centers provides critical academic support and keeps children safe during the high-risk 3–6 p.m. hours.

"Free out-of-school-time programs at the city rec centers are essential to the children and families they serve," said Steve Lutz, a site coordinator for After School All Stars, who described an entrepreneurship and agriculture curriculum his site ran over the summer and said a post-program survey showed participants reported increased confidence and skills. Lutz said OST programming teaches teamwork, leadership and problem-solving and urged council to "keep OST programs thriving and accessible to everyone regardless of income."

Lamel (spelled Lamel in the transcript) Logan, a Reach Success program participant, told council how one-to-one tutoring helped raise his math and reading skills. His father, Melvin Logan, said Reach Success had helped his son move academically and urged the council to continue supporting the program for families who lack support at home.

The speakers described programmatic benefits but did not present a council motion or request a specific dollar amount during the meeting. Steve Lutz emphasized the 3–6 p.m. Monday–Friday window as ‘‘critical because this is when youth are most at risk of engaging in unsafe behaviors and becoming involved in crime.’’ He said stable, sustained OST programming helps students build lasting academic and social skills. Lamel Logan described measurable improvements in test scores and vocabulary for himself, while his father described his son advancing grade levels in math and reading.