Grant Awarded to Support Boys & Girls Club of Chambersburg and Shippensburg’s After-School Programs

CHAMBERSBURG – Five years of grant funding awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education will support Boys & Girls Club of Chambersburg and Shippensburg (BGCCS) programs for 20 children each at Falling Spring Elementary School and Benjamin Chambers Elementary School, according to Maggie Lattin, CEO of the local club.

“The 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants totaling $360,000 will help us provide important, after-school support for vulnerable students in these Chambersburg area schools,” Lattin said. “Parents and teachers have told us time and time again that children need homework help, tutoring and after-school enrichment. We’re serving elementary-age children at these two schools with the recently announced grant funding.”

Initiatives from the national Boys & Girls Club network and locally developed ones include those to mitigate summer learning loss, create self-directed learners, teach safe technology use and digital literacy, improve critical thinking skills, and link one’s mind, body and spirit. The grant supports evidenced-based programs like Positive Action, which is proven to reduce community violence, and new initiatives with Franklin County Literacy Council that will provide adult literacy to parents of children attending the BGCCS program and with Cumberland Valley School of Music to provide arts programming.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education grant will support nine part-time positions for BGCCS under the oversight of a program coordinator.

“Our club has been a trusted community partner for many years. We serve more than 600 children each year and are excited to further grow our reach. We thank Chambersburg Area School District leaders for their enthusiasm to serve these students after school,” Lattin said.

Designed to provide opportunities in low-income areas, the 21st Century Community Learning Center grants support students in academic achievements that align with local and state standards.

“While grants provide a base of support, the community is still our most important champion,” added Lattin. She encourages community members to become involved through volunteerism, donations, sponsorships, and employment.

Visit bgccs.org for more information about BGCCS and its work in the 2022-23 academic year.