BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — Parents with children enrolled in a free afterschool program are protesting plans to start charging $65 a week.
Bed-Stuy’s Salvation Army center has been forced to tell participants that free programs would end on June 26 due to a lack of city funding.
The nonprofit at 601 Lafayette Ave. proposed a fee-based alternative, which left many working moms and dads frustrated, according to parents.
Tarajee Saleem-Little, whose two young children have attended the Salvation Army center for the last two years, said the announcement has left several parents struggling to find alternatives.
Some participants have pulled their children out of the program following the announcement, parents said.
“Where are we going to put our children?” Saleem-Little said. “It would have a serious impact on us. I’m just praying that something will happen to change this.”
The Brownsville mother joined about a dozen parents and children Friday as they rallied outside the center, pleading for a solution.
Bed-Stuy's Salvation Army most recently received funding from the City Council for year-round programming through the end of fiscal year 2015, but was denied a new contract through NYC’s Department of Youth and Community Development, according to officials.
It is unclear why the center did not receive a contract. Decisions are based on reviews and evaluations, officials said.
From 2005 through 2012, DYCD provided $1.58 million in total funding for the nonprofit, which covered costs for summer and afterschool services. From 2013 to 2015, the Salvation Army center received $252,000 in annual City Council funding.
While the nonprofit is looking for ways to keep free programs at the site, DYCD representatives said Salvation Army attendees will be able to access services at another Bed-Stuy provider about six blocks away.
“Ensuring continuity of afterschool programs is a priority for this administration and there will be no interruption of services in this neighborhood,” said DYCD spokesman Mark Zustovich.
“The Police Athletic League Wynn Center will provide free, high-quality COMPASS afterschool programs to the young people previously served by the Salvation Army.”
An equal number of about 90 seats are available at the PAL’s 495 Gates Ave. building under a new provider and different staff, city officials said.
Still, an alternative site would not fill the gap for some Salvation Army parents.
“It’s not even about babysitting or finding an adequate program — the Salvation Army has become a family to a lot of us,” Saleem-Little said.
The 41-year-old mother of six said she chooses to make the 45-minute trip from Brownsville to the Bed-Stuy center because of its resources.
“I know when I leave my children there that they are well," she said. "They have been extremely supportive. It would just be devastating for them not to offer it for free.”
Salvation Army leaders are in the process of discussing solutions with Councilman Robert Cornegy’s office, according to Lawman Lynch, programs director for the organization.
“My parents, who I consider to be very important stakeholders in this process, are some of New York’s hardest workers but based on various social-economical inevitable challenges, a fee-based program is not the best solution, at least depending on proposed cost,” Lynch said.
“At this juncture, however, we are not focused on pressing parents for fees. We are still having a meaningful dialogue so that an amicable and feasible solution is arrived at.”
Parents and Salvation Army reps are scheduled to meet again next week to discuss developments and changes to the program.
