What About The Children?

Times are tough all over.

But if you're the parent of one of 14,000 children currently enrolled in the city's Out of School Time program, it may get a whole lot tougher.

That's because the city plans to cut the OST budget by $17.9 million.

According to Norah Yahya, of United Neighborhood Houses of New York, OST provides "in-school after hours" tutoring services, homework help, art instruction and dance classes to children of lower income families during after school hours. 

"The irony is that at a time when people need help the most, our mayor is de-funding many of the programs essential to their families," she said. "These parents now face having to pay for private after school programs, which cost upwards of $300 a week per child, or quitting their job."

She said the other alternative would be to go back to what she referred to as the "latch-key" programs, in which youngsters are left to fend for themselves until a parent gets home from work to help them with their studies.

"Out of School is a much better alternative," she said. "We're hoping that city lawmakers can find the money to fund these programs."

Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced last year that the city would cut more than $6 million from the OST budget. City Council members restored the money to the program using funds from their discretionary spending.

"There's no guarantee this will happen again, though," Yahya said.

A vital lifeline to critical social services needed by at-risk children, many in northeast Queens are concerned about the impact this latest round of budgetary woes will have on the region.

"There are potentially 70 people who will have to be laid off if the city doesn't renew these contracts," said Rick Lewis, associate executive director at the Samuel Field Y in Little Neck. "But, also, what are the parents supposed to do?"

The Y, which currently has an estimated 500 children enrolled in one of their after school programs, is urging everyone to get involved.

"We are having two parent meetings this week at local schools to discuss the impending cuts," said David Slotnick, program director of Youth and Camping Services at the Y.

Those interested in attending parent meetings on cuts to the Out of School Time program are invited to P.S. 169, located at 18-25 212th St. in Bayside, on Wednesday at 6 p.m. or P.S. 266, located at 74-10 Commonwealth Blvd. in Bellerose, on Thursday at 5:45 p.m.