Southeast After-School Program

SE Programs Facts

around the table Working with neighborhood partners, we offer 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, like our open gym nights twice each week. 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 an open computer lab and family literacy program.

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.