Looking for Enrichment and After-School Care? These CCS Grantees Can Help

By
Maggie Barrows
August 16, 2022

It's back-to-school season and parents throughout the community are looking for options for after-school care. Many Columbia Community Service grantees offer free or reduced cost after-school programs. Check out the options below, and watch this page for updates as more programs post their fall information.


America SCORES New York

ASNY partners with New York City public schools to offer students of all abilities the opportunity to join and play on a recreational soccer team and to take part in enrichment programs that cultivate their social-emotional development. Every week, participants do three days of soccer and two days of enrichment activities.

  • Location: Manhattan, the Bronx, and Brooklyn
  • Monday through Friday, usually between 2:40 pm and 4:00 pm
  • Cost: Free
  • Enrollment deadline: No deadline, but enrollment is first-come first-serve
  • Contact: Chris Lantigua

Harlem Educational Activities Fund

HEAF provides academic enrichment, youth development, and college exploration and guidance.

  • Location: 2090 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard in Harlem, 1396 Broadway in Brooklyn, and 51-35 Reeder Street in Queens
  • Times: Monday–Thursday from 4:30–6:30 pm
  • Cost: Free
  • Enrollment deadline: Rolling admission through mid-September
  • Contact: Natalie Baez (programs) and Kai Bush (admissions)

Hit the Books

Hit the Books provides academic support to improve math and reading performance, as well as a mixed martial arts program. All students are provided with a snack and dinner.

  • Location: 340 St. Nicholas Avenue
  • Times: Monday–Friday, 2:00–7:30 pm
  • Cost: Free to all participants
  • Enrollment deadline: September 12
  • Contact: Milton Pelotte

The Meeting House

Through community and connection, The Meeting House inspires social-emotional growth and elevates mental health. Their programs, offered in a variety of settings, empower individuals to achieve a higher level of function and success in multiple aspects of life.

  • Location: Thurgood Marshall Academy Lower School, 276 W. 151st Street; 122 E. 58th Street; Central Park
  • Times: Monday–Thursday 3:00 pm–6:00 pm at Upper East Side and Central Park locations, Fridays 10:30 am–5:00 pm at Thurgood Marshall Academy Lower School
  • Cost: There is no cost for participation at Thurgood Marshall Academy. Cost for other locations varies and scholarships are available.
  • Enrollment deadline: TBD.
  • Contact: Olga Daniels

The Reading Team

The Reading Team After-School Program for students in grades K-5 helps children become strong and enthusiastic readers, writers, listeners, and speakers. Through small reading groups, one-on-one time with reading specialists, book distributions, and more, children develop the skills, habits, and enjoyment of reading that will support their success in school and in life. 

  • Location: Hotel Theresa Building, 2090 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd (corner of 125th), Suite 100
  • Times: 3:00–5:30 pm on all NYC Department of Education school days
  • Cost: Free
  • Enrollment deadline: None
  • Contact: Patricia Austin (212-280-2042) or visit the enrollment page.

Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation

WHGF offers gymnastics classes for youth from preschool through age 17 in Harlem. The Community Gymnastics Program is an introduction to gymnastics and a beginner gymnastics program.

  • Location: Harlem Children's Zone Armory, 40 W. 143rd Street (Between Lenox and 5th Ave)
  • Times: One hour classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
  • Cost: $500 for the October-January session. Scholarships are available on a first-come first-serve basis.
  • Enrollment deadline: None
  • Contact: Jocelyn Perusina (212-316-0315).