Atlantic Gardens After-School Program
In the basement community rooms of Atlantic Gardens Apartments, we provide an after-school program for children, focusing on homework help, reading and math, secondary subjects like science and art, computer literacy, and life skills. In the evening, when older youth are most likely to be in danger, we provide engaging alternatives to hanging out on the street. Our emphasis on life-skills, decision making, and physical and spiritual wellness empowers our youth to make better choices for their future. Recently, we've expanded these programs to serve adults in the community, through a parents support group and computer classes.
At our SE DC site in the Washington Highlands neighborhood, demographic data show systemic, generational poverty and lack of educational opportunity. Childhood development, including academic achievement, suffer due to deficiencies in public schools and services, lack of family and community support, and the impact of issues such as unemployment, crime, teen-age pregnancy, drug abuse. Our target population — in Southern Hills, Atlantic Gardens, and Atlantic Terrace apartments — includes 740 children and youth between the ages of 5-21, 92% of whom live below the poverty level.