(WASHINGTON, DC) - Today, on National Lights On Afterschool Day, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) announced $6.3 million in awards to local education agencies (LEAs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) through the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grant competition. The seven awardees, located across DC, will serve 6,817 students and 2,326 of their adult family members with high-quality out-of-school time programming throughout the five-year award period. Lights On Afterschool is a nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities.

“The 21st CCLC program grant provides needed out-of-school time learning opportunities to improve academic performance and support students’ social, emotional and mental health,” said State Superintendent Dr. Christina Grant. “The new awards aim to create or expand supports for community learning centers offering evidence-based programming that complements regular school-day academic activities and, ultimately, improves students’ social and educational outcomes.”

Funds awarded will be provide students with academic, social and recreational enrichment activities to support learning at school and at home. Funded through the US Department of Education (USED), the 21st CCLC programs focus on helping K-12 students attending District public and public charter schools that would benefit the most from additional investment receive additional academic support outside of their normal school day in a fun, safe, engaging environment.

The 21st CCLC grant builds on Mayor Muriel Bowser’s commitment to out-of-school time programming in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget. Those investments include $5 million to begin planning and implementing “My Afterschool DC,” the city’s initiative to build toward universal after-school access at priority schools, and create an online central hub to increase program accessibility for families across the District. Mayor Bowser’s investments also include $17 million for after-school programs serving more than 15,000 students through the Office of Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes.

Life Pieces to Masterpieces, a community-based organization receiving funds through the grant, will serve 270 students and adults in wards 7 and 8, offering academic enrichment activities as well as art, character-building education, leadership, and other youth development activities to unlock their creative potential and transform their lives and communities.

“It is with the support of our local government and federal affiliates and partners like OSSE and others that Life Pieces to Masterpieces has been able to deeply root within our community, grow and expand our impact for over 27 years and beyond,” said Mary Brown, co-founder of Life Pieces to Masterpieces.

The seven LEAs and organizations awarded new 21st CCLC competitive grants are:

• After-School All-Stars
• District of Columbia Public Schools
• Kid Power
• Latin American Youth Center
• Life Pieces to Masterpieces
• Tutoring Café
• United Planning Organization

For more information on how OSSE is partnering with new and continuing 21st CCLC subgrantees to provide high-quality out-of-school time support to the students and families in the District of Columbia, visit OSSE’s website.