Mayor adds $2.69 million to after-school programs

Some Boys & Girls Clubs were in danger of closing from lack of funding

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Mayor Lenny Curry is asking for an additional $2.69 million in funding of after-school programs to allow 21 sites to serve 1,720 additional children, his office announced Friday.

That will bring city commitment to after-school programs to nearly $13 million to service more than 8,000 children.

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Curry considers this part of the city's anti-gang strategy.

"When kids leave school campuses, they should be able to go to a community center or site to participate in recreational and enrichment activities," Curry wrote in a statement announcing the funding. "As I’ve stated many times before, government has a role to play in making sure at-hope kids do not fall through the cracks. If there are ways for us to improve the lives of children, we’re going to do that responsibly and orderly with proper vetting and appropriate budgeting."

The funding will allow eight of the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Florida locations that were in danger of closing due to cuts in the city budget to remain open, to the great relief of the organizations president, Paul Martinez.

“Working so closely with Jacksonville youth each day, our team of educators and mentors see first-hand the value afterschool programs bring to not only the children, but our city," Martinez said in a statement.

City Council and Finance Committee member Reggie Brown plans to introduce the funding amendment in coming as the budget proceeds through its council review. The new budget year begins Oct. 1.

Boys and Girls Club's work

Keith Gooch said he is thankful that over the years, as he’s been at work, his children have been in good hands. His 11-year-old daughter and 16-year-old son have been part of Boys and Girls Club after-school programs at the beach.

"For the parents, it's a good place for them to be because we know that they are safe," Gooch said. "They're not out there doing anything nefarious or getting in any trouble."

They’ve been successful. His daughter is in dance school. His son was awarded Youth of the Year for the organization.

"He's able to get his homework done, then after he gets his homework done, he has a constructive activity that they already have set up for them to do," Gooch said.

With his children doing so well, Gooch said he’s upset that the programs are in jeopardy.

Since News4Jax aired a story Tuesday about the lack of funding, Councilman Garrett Dennis filed emergency legislation to find the money needed for the programs. Thursday morning, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry met with the organization’s leaders as they pleaded for help.

News4Jax crime analyst Gil Smith, a former school resource officer, said he believes these programs are necessary for the city’s future.

"It does reduce crime, because they are in that key time period of the day when kids sometimes get in trouble right after school," Smith said.

The City Council will vote on the issue at Tuesday’s meeting. If two-thirds vote yes, the city will use money from a backup pension fund to get the facilities open by Labor Day.


About the Author:

Lifetime Jacksonville resident anchors the 8 and 9 a.m. weekday newscasts and is part of the News4Jax I-Team.