De Blasio restores funding for summer programs after push by parents, advocates
Councilmember Eugene: ‘Huge victory’
After an intense campaign by parents, youth advocates and city Councilmembers, the Mayor’s Office announced it would restore funding for summer programs 17,000 kids for one more year.
Brooklyn Councilmember Mathieu Eugene, chairman of the Youth Services Committee, said the restoration of funding for the programming, part of the School’s Out New York City (SONYC) summer afterschool program, is a “huge victory” for thousands of children and their parents, especially those who rely on summer programs for a free lunch. Eugene said he has been working with the Campaign for Children for weeks on the issue.
Last summer, Mayor Bill de Blasio added 17,000 seats to summer middle school programs, doubling their capacity. Though the expansion was meant to be for one year only, the city notified providers that the funds would be available again this year, and centers signed on staff and registered children.