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Media
Contact:           Reva_Gaur@edalliance.org              646-395-4076                                                          

                                    Linda_Adams@edalliance.org          646-395-4075

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
FUNDING FULLY RESTORED

Following Grassroots Advocacy
Campaign, Mayor, City Council and State Combine to Rescue Program Embraced by
Thousands

New
York, NEW YORK (July 1, 2009) – The City has fully restored funding for after
school programs that serve more than 10,000 low-income and working class youth
to their Fiscal Year 2010 budget.

OST2
(Out-of-School Time Option 2) after school programs provide youth across the
city with guidance, support, and creative and constructive activities that
inspire and enable them to achieve academically and avoid harmful temptations.

The
“Stand By Our Kids!” Coalition, consisting of more than 40 organizations that would
have been affected by these cuts, mounted a grassroots letter-writing and 311
awareness campaign, culminating in a June 10th rally and press
conference at City Hall that was attended by several hundreds of youth,
families, community leaders and City Council members. The Coalition presented
Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott with personal letters and petitions signed by
nearly 5,000 supporters of OST2.

Subsequently
Mayor Bloomberg and City Council agreed to restore 80% of the OST2 program in
the City’s budget. More recently, the State approved the City’s request to
utilize Federal funds from the Stimulus legislation to reinstate the full
amount of funds.

“We
are deeply relieved, we are most grateful and we express much appreciation to
the Bloomberg Administration, the City Council and New York State
decision-makers for choosing to support youth and families and investing in a
future filled with possibility,” said Danny Rosenthal, Senior Vice President of
External Affairs at The Educational Alliance, one of the organizations in the
Coalition. 

“What
is not clear, however, is whether these funds will be renewed in the ensuing
years and we urge City leaders to commit to continuing these invaluable
programs.   Our hope is that we will not be compelled to repeat an advocacy
effort next year but, if necessary, we will certainly recharge and ensure our
message is heard once again.”

For
more information about the “Stand By Our Kids!” campaign, visit: www.edalliance.org

About
“Stand By Our Kids!” Coalition

The
“Stand By Our Kids!” Coalition is a partnership of more than 40
organizations that provide life-changing services to NYC youth. These programs
allow parents of working class families to earn a living while their children
develop skills that will support their success as future leaders.

About
The Educational Alliance

The
Educational Alliance is a community-based nonprofit organization offering a
wide range of programs in Downtown Manhattan, including early childhood
education, after school activities, senior centers, meals for the homeless, an
art school, subsidized housing, and addiction and mental health services. The
Alliance is a Jewish organization and proudly serves people from all ethnic,
religious, and socio-economic backgrounds. 

###

OST2
City Hall Rally − Photos for Download:

https://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=batch_download&send_id=708006008&email=40595e0925dc39666857cf883fc50b2d

PHOTO
CREDIT for All Photos: Jaime Naftel

*Photo
1: Crowd of OST2 youth, family and supporters on the steps of City Hall at the
rally on June 10th, 2009

*Photo
2: Crowd of OST2 youth, family and supporters on the steps of City Hall at the
rally on June 10th, 2009

*Photo
3:  Christopher Rivera, teen from the Educational Alliance Teen Center and 2009
Youth of the Year for NY State, speaks to the crowd at the OST2 Rally at City
Hall on June 10th, 2009

*Photo
4:  City Council Member Alan Gerson speaks to the crowd at the OST2 Rally at
City Hall on June 10th, 2009

*Photo
5: City Council Member John Liu speaks to the crowd at the OST2 Rally at City
Hall on June 10th, 2009

*Photo
6: Youth advocating for OST2 at the Rally at City Hall on June 10th,
2009

*Photo
7: OST2 youth carrying thousands of paper petitions and personal letters to
City Hall on June 10th, 2009

*Photo
8: Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott holding stack of thousands of paper petitions
and personal letters advocating for OST2 programs at City Hall Rally on June 10th,
2009

Reva Gaur

Communications Department

The Educational Alliance

197 East Broadway

New York, NY 10002

T: (646) 395-4076

Email: Reva_Gaur@edalliance.org