A collaboration of several local agencies has arranged for after-school care for eight elementary school children, six of whom will now receive scholarship assistance through the generosity of the Valley Community Foundation (VCF).
The VCF announced Tuesday that it would provide an urgent needs grant of $4,800 through its Revolving Response Grant Program.
The money will pay for six Ansonia children to attend the after-school program at Ansonia Community Action (ACA) for 16 weeks. These children had previously attended the Tinney Community Center’s after-school program, which closed on Oct. 18, 2012.
Ansonia Public Schools, TEAM Inc. of Derby, and Ansonia Community Action have been working together to transition the former Tinney Center students into other existing programs.
Of the 17 children in Grades 1 – 7 attending the Tinney Center this fall, three have been placed in the school district’s Charger Club after-school program for Grades 6 – 8, and eight were placed in ACA’s after-school program during the week of Oct. 22.
The Valley Boys & Girls Club in Ansonia is providing transportation for several of the former Tinney Center students. TEAM Inc. will serve as fiduciary of the grant.
Jamie Cohen, President of the Valley Community Foundation, expressed his personal joy at VCF’s ability to “complete a seamless transition” for children displaced by the Tinney Center’s closing.
“This is exactly why the Valley Community Foundation exists — to help Valley people at the time help is needed,” Cohen said.
ACA, which is located at 4 Fourth St., currently has 11 children enrolled in its after school program, which operates three hours a day, five days a week during the school year.
The program provides homework assistance and enrichment programs, which are provided by several local agencies, including the Valley Parish Nurse Program and the Ansonia Nature & Recreation Center.
Ansonia Public Schools has been providing a literacy liaison who works with students and staff.
