Washington, DC

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser, Deputy Mayor for Education Paul Kihn, and the Office of Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes (OST Office) are excited to award $4.8 million in Summer Strong 2019 grants to 56 organizations that provide summer programming across the District. This allotment of funds will allow more than 5,000 District of Columbia youth access to free or low-cost safe and enriching opportunities to learn and grow during the summer months as a result.

“Through Summer Strong DC, we are committed to making meaningful investments in organizations that create and expand opportunities for young people across the District. As we work to close the achievement gap it is imperative that we find ways to support our youth during the school day and beyond normal school hours,” said Deputy Mayor for Education Paul Kihn. “We are honored to partner with the community-based organizations, United Way of the National Capital Area, Department of Human Services, and the DC Housing Authority to ensure all District youth have access to safe, healthy, and engaging programs that will equip them for a strong start to the school year.”

Studies show that youth are more likely to fall behind their peers when they are not actively engaged in the summer months. In 2018, Mayor Bowser launched Learn24 – an initiative focused on ensuring students have access to safe places to learn and discover their passions and interests beyond the school hours. Residents may visit learn24.dc.gov to find out-of-school time opportunities all year long.

“During the summer months it is imperative that we provide youth with meaningful opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive in a safe environment” said OST Director Mila Yochum. “We are proud to partner with these local nonprofit organizations and schools that support our children beyond the normal school hours.”

Mayor Bowser’s fiscal year 2020 budget invests $20 million dollars in funding to out-of-school time (OST) opportunities for District of Columbia youth. These funds will provide more than 28,000 youth with afterschool and summer programming in a safe environment.

The following organizations will receive Summer Strong 2019 grant funding:

“Project Create is proud to be recognized as one of the 2019 Summer Strong DC grantees,” said Christie Walser, Executive Director of Project Create. “As a small organization in a big city, it means a lot to be recognized by the Mayor’s Office for our efforts to provide impactful out-of-school-time programming for youth in Ward 8. Through a continued partnership with the Out of School Time Office we look forward to enhancing our programs and improving the outcomes of the youth served throughout Project Create's East of the River programs.”

DC residents can support afterschool and summer programs this tax season, by making a Contribution to Taxpayer Support for Afterschool Programs for At-Risk Students, on line 7b of their DC Individual Tax Form. All contributions received will support grants from the OST Office to help at-risk and homeless youth across the District find places to learn and grow in safe spaces beyond school hours.