Students across NYS have lost their afterschool resources and working parents are scrambling. We cannot wait for an investment in our children—we need universal access to after school programs for all low-middle income families in New York State, and we need it now. See this Chalkbeat article for more info: https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2024/03/27/zellnor-myrie-push-for-universal-after-school-in-new-york-gains-traction/

Recently, NYS ended Advantage and Empire funding for afterschool programs and put out a call for proposal for LEAPS. Many current Advantage/Empire recipients were approved under LEAPS but not funded--there was not enough money to go around, only $97million state wide.

Tell Governor Hochul and the NYS Legislature that they must allocate more funding to cover the needs of NYS students during out-of-school-time hours. Sign this petition!