February 28, 2020

On the heels of the 25^th anniversary of the 21^st Century Community Learning Centers (21^st CCLC) program, the U.S. Department of Education announced a renaming of this unique funding initiative. At the direction of Congress, it is now the Nita M. Lowey 21^st Century Community Learning Centers Grant Program. The new designation honors Representative Lowey, a steady advocate for afterschool programming, for her tireless efforts on behalf of children and families. She has represented New York’s 17^th District since 1988 and will retire this year. She played a key role in the original 1994 bill (Text H.R.6. – 103rd Congress), which stated that 21^st CCLCs would “enable the entire community to develop an education strategy that addresses the educational needs of all members of local communities.”

Nearly 1.7 million students and 184,000 adult family members each year are served by this 50-state initiative, which offers academic support and enrichment programs at 11,512 program sites.

Somersworth was selected as a recipient of the 21st Century Community Learning Center project through the Department of Education to develop, plan and implement an after school and summer learning program for middle school youth, grades 6-8 back in 2007. The continued success and progression of SYC has been a collaborative effort between the Somersworth School District and the Community Action Partnership of Strafford County.

Through this project, a variety of academic and homework support, health and nutrition education, fitness and wellness activities, enrichment programs and community service projects are offered and available to encourage, support, and foster the development of our youth academically, physically, and socially.

Somersworth Youth Connection’s intent is to provide a positive, safe, healthy, and enriching environment that will serve to inspire, motivate, challenge and stimulate our youth.

SYC offers opportunities for parents and families to interact, experience, learn, share and have fun. We encourage, support, and are committed to providing families with activities, events and workshops that promote family involvement, address adolescent development, communication skills, and foster positive and healthy relationships with families. The success of the program is due to the involvement and support of those in our community: individuals, parents, families and schools, along with the many businesses who volunteer time and share talents to make a difference with our middle school youth.

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Maureen Jackman,

Extended Learning Director, 21st CCLC

Somersworth Youth Connection Programs