CAMBA and Students Plan March to Save After-School Programs

CAMBA, the New York City Youth Alliance and other New York-based youth organizations are holding a march Wednesday, May 9 to protest t, according Christie Hodgkins, director of youth development at CAMBA.

The hour-long march, which will begin at PS 139 on Rugby Road at 4:00 p.m., is responding specifically to the cuts of after school programs at PS 139 and PS 249 at Caton Avenue, Hodgkins said. 

"Together, the programs serve over 400 kids," she continued. "On 13 days when schools are closed, [CAMBA] actually runs the programs from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It's going to be a real bad situation for the neighborhood and for the working families if these programs are not restored."

Children who benefit from these afterschool programs will participate in the march and have played a large role in the effort to restore the programs since it was announced that they were in danger of being cut.

"They understand what advocacy is, they've written post cards to the Mayor, have practiced cheers and chants for tomorrow," Hodgkins said. 

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The march will being on Rugby Road, walk one block to Beverley Road, continue to Argyle Road, then walk one block to Cortelyou Road. The march will then stop on Cortelyou Road between Argyle and Rugby Roads, holding signs and cheering in support of the programs. 

"That's a well-trafficked area," Hodgkins said of the stopping location. "We're hoping folks will stop, read the signs, listen to the kids and understand what this issue is about."

They will then return to the school via Rugby Road. These activities will conclude by 5:00 p.m. 

"We have to keep in mind that one of the reasons children come to these programs is because their parents have to work," Hodgkins said.

"We've heard parents say they will have to quit their jobs [to take care of their children]. We really need to raise everyone's awareness on how devastating these cuts are." 

The march is part of a city-wide "Lights off" day where all New York City afterschool programs are encouraged by Campaign for Children to participate and raise awareness of the issue.