Kids Come Out To Rally For M.S. 158 Beacon

Yesterday a group of about 100 parents, alumni and kids crowded around in support of its Beacon School.

The Beacon after-school and camp program is slated to close in July, due to budget cuts.

The Dept. of Youth and Community Development announced in March that they would be closing seven Beacon Schools across the city, to make up for the agency’s .

Last year, similar budget cuts to the FDNY . But support from local politicians and —including several rallies— saved the firehouse . Community members who have followed both controversies closely hope that the site, which only costs about $334,000 to operate annually, will as well—if community outcry is loud enough.

Three teenage Beacon alumni shared their reasons for coming out to the rally:

Lianna Papandreou, 17: “Beacon was my home when I was younger. I didn’t have to stay all day in the park…where it’s unsafe.”

Cheyenne Coco, 16: “They helped me with my homework, they helped me to dance…they were like family.”

Sequoia Napier, 16: “A lot of kids wouldn’t have anywhere to go…so a safe place would go away.”

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