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SASF Operates Champions Club After-School Programs in 70 Public Schools This Fall

SASF will operate high-quality sports, arts and academic after-school programs in about 70 New York City public schools across the five boroughs...

...this school year, all free of charge to participants. SASF’s “Champions Club” after-school programs will serve almost 10,000 students, virtually all of whom attend schools in the city’s most in-need communities where safe, productive and fun after-school experiences are scarce.

This school year, SASF will be growing to serve more students than at any time in its 18-year history. This is great news for NYC parents, who rely heavily on after-school programs to extend their children’s school days – especially in tough economic times.

“Now more than ever, families are struggling to provide enriching opportunities for their children, as schools and community groups are cutting back on services of all kinds. SASF is stepping in to close the ‘opportunity gap’ across the region by providing high-quality sports and fitness activities, performing arts, and academic assistance to the students that need them most,” said SASF President Jim O’Neill. “Our programs promote creativity, fitness, health and academic performance, and improve children’s chances of graduating and being successful in life,” he added.

Beginning this month, SASF will operate its comprehensive Champions Club after-school model at about 70 public school sites across NYC. Additionally, SASF will expand regionally with service at four schools in the Mount Vernon City School District in Westchester County. Also, for the first time, SASF will operate its Champions Club model outside the public school environment, in a NYC Housing Authority community center. This growth represents the durability of SASF programming.

The SASF Champions Club after-school model is integrated seamlessly with the traditional school day and builds a cohesive link between sports, arts and academic skill development. Champions Clubs are specifically tailored to meet the varying needs of each host school.

Established in 1992, the not-for-profit Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation (SASF) seeks to improve the lives of New York City’s public school students by offering a wide variety of year-long after-school, Saturday, vacation and summer activities – including team and individual sports, performing and visual arts, and academic tutoring – that emphasize skill development, physical and mental well-being, and a positive overall outlook on the educational experience.