Adirondack Community Action Programs, Inc. (ACAP) is pleased to announce that its Advantage After School program has received funding. Having operated After School programs in Moriah, Westport, and Schroon Lake for many years, the program announced, in August, that the sites were slated to close as of September 30th. “We knew losing the after school program was going to be a hardship on parents, the schools and our community,” said Marjorie Zmijewski, ACAP Child Care Director. Once they heard about the closings, parents, the schools and children contacted local and state officials to let them know their concerns. “We can’t thank them enough for speaking out” said Marge. It was primarily through their advocacy and the support of local officials like Randy Douglas, Chair of Essex County Board of Supervisors and Senator Betty Little, that the funding was restored. “We appreciate Randy, and Senator Little’s support” stated Alan Jones, ACAP Executive Director. “They are the ones who were able to secure funding through the Governor’s office.”
We know we still have a lot of work to keep the program going, says Marge, but for now, we know the programs will continue and children in our rural community will have a safe place to go after school. They will have help with homework, and access to healthy activities. The program will continue to operate under the Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) After School initiative.