(Washington, DC)— Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.) and Senator Herb Kohl (D-Wisc.) today announced that Milwaukee Public Schools will receive $95,000 to support a comprehensive after-school and summer Community Learning Center (CLC) program for Milwaukee kids. The CLC program is available after regular school hours and during the summer months to provide tutorial services and academic enrichment activities that help students meet local and state academic standards in subjects like reading and math. The program also provides youth development activities, drug and violence prevention programs, technology education programs, art, music and recreation programs, counseling and character education to enhance the academic component of the program.

“For students whose families are struggling with the true challenges of poverty, whose parents or guardians might be working two or three jobs to make ends meet, Community Learning Centers are absolutely crucial to ensuring not only the safety, but the success of kids,” Congresswoman Moore said. “Not only do they provide some supervision when kids might otherwise be on their own, they also provide engaging activities that help students learn, develop a positive self image and stay out of danger. These centers might also offer the only food a child will see outside the course of a normal school day. I am so proud to have continually supported Community Learning Centers.”

“Afterschool programs serve as a constructive outlet and an alternative for many children who would otherwise find themselves in unsupervised or even dangerous situations,” Senator Kohl said. “Milwaukee Public School Community Learning Centers have been influential in implementing these types of programs and this funding will continue their hard work.”

These funds will support CLCs at up to 54 locations between October 2009 and September 2010. The CLCs will be open after school as late as 6 p.m. and between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. during the summer for students in grades K-12. In addition to providing learning enrichment, CLCs offer sports, activities in the arts, fitness, cooperative learning, weekly field trips and cultural experiences in the summer.

“I would like to personally thank Representative Moore and Senator Kohl for their continued leadership in working to ensure our students have access to quality after school programs,” said Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent William Andrekopoulos.  “The funding provided by the Fund for the Improvement of Education grant will support our efforts to provide meaningful summer learning experiences within our Community Learning Centers (CLCs).  Such programming provides opportunities for young people to exercise their minds and bodies through a number of unique activities thereby preparing them to begin the school year on a healthy note.”

More than 17,000 youth are served annually through Community Learning Centers, and 84 percent of CLC participants receive free or reduced-price school lunches.

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For an interview with Congresswoman Gwen Moore, please contact Marni Goldberg at 202-593-8574.

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