21st Century Program
What is the 21st Century Community Learning Center Program?
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) program is the only federal funding source dedicated to supporting afterschool and local summer learning programs through the US Department of Education. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act, now known as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), updated and reauthorized the 21st CCLC program in December 2015. Each state receives funds based on its share of Title I funding for low-income students. Grants support afterschool and summer learning programs that provide the following services to students attending high-poverty, low-performing schools:
- Academic enrichment activities that can help students meet state and local achievement standards.
- A broad array of additional services designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program, such as: drug and violence prevention programs, counseling programs, art, music, and recreation programs, technology education programs, and character education programs.
- Literacy and related educational development services to the families of children who are served in the program.
Advocacy Stories and Videos:
21st Century Community Learning Center Grants for Afterschool Programs
Principal Praises a Vital Program in an Ideal School
To Principal Camille Edwards Thomas, Albert Leonard Middle School is an ideal venue for New Rochelle, N.Y.’s important afterschool program, funded by the 21st Century Community Learning Center grant. The enrichment program covers a critical time of day and provides a convenient community location for students to enjoy a variety of programs while parents complete their workday.
“Having this program gives families peace of mind, knowing their children are in a safe space with trusted staff at their home school,” Edwards Thomas says. “This is especially important for working families.”
The students love the afterschool program, administered through the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle, Edwards Thomas says. She sees youths connect, tackle homework, enjoy activities and have fun with friends in a comfortable educational environment. “Just the other day, I saw them starting with a community circle, getting to know one another, sharing about themselves and spending meaningful time together,” Edwards Thomas says.
Albert Leonard Middle School, like so many schools across the nation, almost lost its afterschool program. On June 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education announced that it would withhold the 21st Century funds underwriting it, even though the 21st Century grant represents a bipartisan, decades-long commitment and the annual funds had been appropriated by Congress. A national groundswell of comprehensive advocacy, spearheaded locally by the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle, eventually led to the funding’s restoration – at least for this year.
Edwards Thomas says it’s vital that 21st Century funding not be interrupted at her middle school. The afterschool program is simply vital to youths’ academic, social and emotional maturation.
“At that stage, students crave more independence, but they aren’t always fully ready for it,” she says. “The 21st Century Program offers a guided, ‘hand-holding’ transition that has been invaluable for us at Albert Leonard.”
Father Relies on and Appreciates Afterschool Program’s “Huge” Benefits for His Daughter
To Michael Baumgarten, the afterschool program at Albert Leonard Middle School in New Rochelle, N.Y., offers a vital enrichment experience that provides a nurturing environment for his daughter Sofia while he’s at work each weekday afternoon.
In addition, as a parent, the reassurance that Sofia is safe, in a program administered by the respected Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle, is especially comforting.
“Honestly,” he says, “if she didn’t have this program, I don’t know what we’d do.”
During summer 2025, afterschool programs nationwide lost funding when the U.S. Department of Education announced that it would withhold 21st Century Community Learning Center grants. However, massive support for the program led to the restoration of funding – at least for the current 2025-2026 school year.
That’s a relief, if only temporary, for Baumgarten. He offers three reasons why the Albert Leonard Middle School afterschool program is invaluable and should continue to receive vital funding.
- First, Baumgarten says, Sofia completes her homework in a focused environment, so when she gets home, “she can relax and have fun: Easy peasy.”
- Second, the afterschool program, in the school Sofia attends, offers her more time with educators who care about her. “It’s not just the idea of ‘a safe place,’” Baumgarten says. “It’s the fact that she’s with teachers and adults whose job is to look after her. That’s a lot better than her hanging out… unsupervised, with other kids.”
- Third, Baumgarten says, Sofia enjoys the afterschool program and all it offers. “How many activities can you say your child looks forward to simply because they like being there?” he asks. “That’s huge.”
Students Look Forward to Time with Friends, Activities, Even Cooking Lessons
Friends. Learning. Fun. Special moments. And so much more.
That’s why students in the Albert Leonard Middle School afterschool program in New Rochelle, N.Y., look forward to the program each day.
The enrichment program, funded by a federal 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, is its own special, caring community.
The program provides youths with an opportunity to see new friends, tackle homework in a focused, supportive atmosphere and dive into fun, diverse activities that support their futures.
“Here, I get to see my friends, and we help each other — whether it’s me helping someone else or them helping me,” said seventh-grader Matias Ceja Hurtado. “I like the program because I have a bunch of friends there, including some who are a year younger than me,” added seventh grader Sofia Baumgarten, “and that’s the only time I really get to see them.”
For many students, the afterschool program is a daily highlight. “You can look forward to afterschool, where you get to play outside or in the gym,” says seventh grader Caleb Fulmore.
Students rave about the activities, which range from academic support to other creative and tailored programming. For eighth grader Jaylon Lynch, cooking activities are especially exciting. “I’ve always wanted to be a chef,” he says. Seventh grader Mateo McArthur says the spaghetti and sauce youths prepared were “amazing” and offered skills that even set the stage for a family dinner.
“I even learned how to make it at home, and I cooked it for my family, too,” he says.
For seventh grader Olivia Baxter, support for academics and overall scholastic achievement are additional bonuses. “There’s also STEM, where kids learn things they might not have before — like chemical reactions,” she says, referring to science, technology, engineering and math lessons.
The Albert Leonard Middle School program was almost abolished when the federal government, in June 2025, eliminated its nationwide funding for 21st Century Learning Center grants. The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle was a key, inspirational voice providing focused advocacy on the local level, creating a multidimensional campaign to urge federal lawmakers to lobby for the funds’ restoration.
That effort succeeded – ensuring youths, at the start of the school year in September 2025, could continue to enjoy afterschool activities at Albert Leonard Middle School, with caring teachers and staff ready to support them and their futures.
Now, the goal is to ensure continued funding, so at Albert Leonard Middle School and across the nation, great futures can be supported.
NEW ROCHELLE School Sites
ALBERT LEONARD MIDDLE SCHOOL
Start Date: 9/22/25
End Date: 6/12/26
Cost: $0
Hours: Dismissal- 6pm
Site Director: Wynter Parham
NEW ROCHELLE HIGH SCHOOL
Start Date: 9/29/25
End Date: 6/12/26
Cost: $0
Hours: Dismissal- 6pm
Site Director: Gustavo Morales
ISAAC E. YOUNG MIDDLE SCHOOL
Start Date: 9/22/25
End Date: 6/12/26
Cost: $0
Hours: Dismissal- 6pm
Site Director: CelyMaris Soto
Meet our Staff
Wynter Parham
Albert Leonard Middle School
Site Coordinator
914-576-4339
Ext- 20608
CelyMaris Soto
Isaac Young Middle School
Site Coordinator
914-576-4360
Ext- 21590
About the Grant
When did BGCNR receive this grant?
The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle received this competitive grant in August of 2022. We receive $911,000 a year for 5 years.
What is the Cost of the program?
$0 ! The program is free for any student who wants to participate.
Grant Deliverables
For this grant we must serve 450 kids each year. In order to be considered apart of these 450 numbers each kid must participate in at least 15 hours of programming during the school year/summer.
Program Advisory Committee
In order to meet the grant requirements, we have created a 21st Century Advisory Committee for quality improvement purposes. The committee is made up of parents, pta members, school administrator, partners and BGCNR staff.
If you are interested in joining this advisory committee, please email William Iannuzzi, Chief Program Officer at wiannuzzi@bgcnr.org