GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Trevor Davies spent Monday afternoon helping leaders of out of school hours programs navigate a state funding opportunity offering up $57 million.
"Out of school time programs are a really special and unique space that provides an opportunity for young people to engage in learning a lot of different ways," said Davies of Michigan After School Partnership.
That money is available for programs that help enrich children from kindergarten through 12th grade.
"Think about any time that young people are present, they're learning, and one of those spaces is outside of the school day," said Davies. "Out of school time is a space to provide enrichment activities, anything from gardening and science, math, reading, theater, music and art."
That $57 million is part of $75 million that was allocated to out of school time programs in the state budget.
"The 32n grant for Bridge Street ministries funds an after school program that we call resurgence, the middle school focused Youth Development Organization, or youth development program that's really focused on developing future leaders in our communities," said Ryan Waalkes, the executive director of Bridge Street Ministries.
Waalkes said the grant dollars help programs have a better reach to underserved communities.
"We really believe that the kids that we work with are high potential youth, and we're really glad that there's people in the state that also see the potential of these youth, that they can really be a part of the future of a thriving city and thriving communities," said Waalkes.
To learn more about the available funding, click here. If selected for grant funding, organizations can receive their dollars as early as November.