Baltimore, Maryland, October 16, 2007

Twelve programs in eight Maryland jurisdictions have been awarded $3.3 million in grants by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) through the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Grant Program.

The 21st CCLC grants provide services to children who attend high poverty schools or schools identified for improvement. The grant requires that each proposal offer opportunities for literacy and related educational development to families of participating students. There also is an emphasis on closing the achievement gap between those receiving free and reduced meals (FARMS) and students not receiving such assistance.

"The purpose of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program is to create centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities that support what is learned in the classroom," said Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick, State Superintendent of Schools. "The programs are unique because they also provide an array of cultural activities. Together, the centers show students the real world connection to what they learn in the classroom and how they can improve their communities," said Dr. Grasmick.

The grant process was open to public and private organizations including non-profit agencies, city and county government agencies, faith-based groups, institutions of higher education, and for-profit corporations. Twenty-six organizations applied for grants and 14 received site visits. The groups awarded grants in this round were comprised of eight local school systems, three not-for-profit community-based organizations, and one faith-based organization.

Grants were awarded on a competitive basis to the following programs:

• Child First Microsociety, Child First Authority, Inc., Baltimore City
• Collington Square Learning Academy, International Medalist Association, Baltimore City
• Columbia Bridges 21st CCLC, Howard County Public Schools, Howard County
• Haven House After School Program, Worcester County Public Schools, Worcester County
• Kent Community Learning Center Project, Kent County Public Schools, Kent County
• LINK (Let's Invest In Neighborhood Kids), The Village Learning Place & Margaret Brent Elementary/Middle School, Baltimore City
• Partnering for Youth Project A to Z, Queen Anne's County Board of Education, Queen Anne's County
• SAFE (Students and Families Excelling), Extended Day Program, Board of Education Allegany County, Allegany County
• Voyage to Excellence, Somerset County
• Waverly Community Learning Center, Franciscan Youth Center,
  Baltimore City
• Wicomico STARS II Afterschool and Summer Learning Centers,
  Board of Education, Wicomico County
• The Youth Place at St. Ambrose Center 21st CCLC, St. Ambrose Center - St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore, Baltimore City

These groups will begin preparations to launch programs this summer. This round of awardees joins 42 projects already operating under the 21st CCLC program. Programs are operating in Baltimore City, Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Charles, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Washington, Wicomico, and Worcester counties.

In addition to improving the academic achievement and self-confidence of students, these programs keep students safe, and help working families. Participants are less likely to be involved in crime and more likely to have better grades and behavior than peers left with nothing to do after school.

Parties interested in receiving requests for proposals for the sixth round of grants should contact Vanessa J. Diggs, Coordinator, After School Programs, at 410.767.0034 or via email at [email protected]. To learn more about the program online, please visit our Web site: 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

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