March 20, 2009 – Eleven community organizations have been awarded funds under the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant program for the 2008 Federal Fiscal Year. The 21st Century grants establish Community Learning Centers across the territory that will assist learning and development for school-age children and their families during out-of-school time, according to a press release from Department of Education Commissioner Dr. La Verne Terry.
This program is authorized under Title IV, Part B of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act and allocations for each state are based upon the state's student enrollment. The awarded sub-recipients, by district, are:
St. Croix
1. The Boys and Girls Club – Excel Program
2. St. Croix Central High School
3. The Village
4. Eulalie Rivera Elementary School Summer Program
5. Virgin Islands Humanities
St. Thomas
1. Addelita Cancryn Junior High School
2. V.I. Resource Center for the Disabled Inc.
3. Beacon Schools Expansion Project
4. Project Hope Inc.
5. Christchurch Methodist Education and Outreach Services Inc.
6. Wesley Methodist After School
The programs will help to address the needs of a cross-section of the community, offering a wide range of academic enrichment and recreational activities for school-aged children.
Dr. Terry said, "The purpose of this program is to create local community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities to enable children to: meet high standards in core academic subjects; participate in a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and receive, with their families, literacy and other educational services."
For more information, contact Office of Federal Grant Programs and Audit at 774-0100.