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The PS 207 Champions Club afterschool program will remain in operation until the end of the school year.
By Forum Staff
City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) on Monday announced he will appropriate the funds necessary to sustain the PS 207 Champions Club afterschool program through the end of the school year.
“Programs like the ‘Champions Club’ offer students a safe place to go after the school day is over, where they can learn, engage in physical fitness and socialize,” Ulrich said. “In nearly half of all households with children, both parents work full-time. It is essential that families have access to programs like this in their communities. I’m happy to work with Principal [Eileen] Davies and [Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation] to save this very important program.”
According to the councilman, after he learned that the Champions Club, which is run by SASF, may have to close, he met with Principal Davies and organization representatives last week. To preserve the service, Ulrich said he committed to appropriate the discretionary funding necessary to sustain the program at the Howard Beach school.
Open Monday through Friday from 2:20 p.m. to 5:20 p.m., the program offers a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics-focused curriculum. The Champions Club also provides students with homework help, educational trips and physical fitness activities at the 88th Street school.
“Thank you to Council Member Eric Ulrich for helping to keep the SASF after school program at PS 207 up and running,” said parents Peter and Mary Laddomada. “It would have been a tremendous hardship to have the program come to a close at the end of March, as it provides an invaluable service to families and a safe environment for students. Council Member Ulrich’s office stepped in and was able to secure funding to sustain the program. We are grateful for his quick action and dedication to the community.”
The Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation program at PS 207 provides a wide range of sports, arts and academic enrichment activities to students grades K-5. The Champions Club began in 2014 as part of a citywide expansion of afterschool services for communities in need. Prior to its opening, PS 207 was one of two schools in the neighborhood that did not offer an afterschool program.
“At SASF, our goal is to give families the support they need by offering after school programs where students’ learning is enhanced and they can explore new passions,” said Maureen Fonseca, CEO, SASF. “With the help of Councilman Ulrich, we can continue to support the children at PS 207.”
Parents Luis and Surisaday Gatti added, “On behalf of all the PS 207 parents and students attending the after school program, we want to express our gratitude to Councilman Ulrich and his staff for helping keep open the program that we hardworking parents desperately need, and students love so much. This achievement is in large part to his leadership, hard work and commitment to our community.”
To learn more about the Champions Club program at PS 207, contact Nathalie Louis at (718) 638-7086 or Jan Vazquez at (718) 440-6237.
