United Way’s Afterschool Program Enters Third Year with Expanded Offerings
United Way’s Education United Academic and Enrichment Afterschool Program is kicking off its third year, continuing its mission to improve academic and social-emotional outcomes for elementary school students in Westchester County. The program, which serves up to 600 students across three schools, is expanding its offerings and reaffirming its commitment to supporting young learners and their families.
Education United operates in Brookside Elementary School in Ossining, W.L. Morse School in Sleepy Hollow, and Highview Elementary School in Hartsdale. The free bilingual program targets first and second graders in Ossining and Sleepy Hollow, and second and third graders in Hartsdale.
Dahmein McFadden, United Way’s Director of Educational Programs, expressed enthusiasm for the new academic year. “We are excited to be back in the classrooms and working with the students after the long summer break,” he said.” We have a wonderful team and incredible enrichments to keep the children engaged while they get the additional educational support they need.”
The program’s main objectives, measured by performance indicators, include: improving academic outcomes, enhancing social-emotional development, supporting students’ families, and fostering increased community involvement among key stakeholders. Education United offers a diverse range of activities designed to support holistic student development including project-based learning, social-emotional learning activities, homework assistance, arts and crafts, fitness and wellness activities, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities Notably, all activities are offered in both English and Spanish, ensuring accessibility for the diverse student population.
s the program enters its third year, several exciting additions have been introduced. First, all sites will now offer free ballet instruction through a partnership with the Westchester Ballet Company. Additional new enrichment offerings include musical theater, art, drumming, and conversational Spanish. Finally, to further the program’s inclusivity and openness, the program has introduced self-contained classes for students with special needs and additional ENL (English as a New Language) support for Spanish-speaking students.
Education United’s success is built on strong partnerships with local school districts and community organizations. Key partners include Ossining School District, Greenburgh School District, Tarrytown School District, Westchester Ballet Company, Gibbons Fitness, and Global Arts.
The program is made possible through three primary funding sources — the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, the New York State Learning and Enrichment After-School Program Supports, and the Westchester County Invest in Kids initiative. These grants enable Education United to offer its services free of charge, making it accessible to all families in the community.
Beyond its educational benefits, the program provides crucial support for working parents. As McFadden noted, “The free program provides an economical way for parents to know their children are safe after school while they get a few more hours in at work.”
As United Way’s Education United Academic and Enrichment Afterschool Program embarks on its third year, it continues to demonstrate its commitment to fostering academic excellence, personal growth, and community engagement among Westchester County’s young learners. With its expanded offerings and dedicated team, the program is poised to make an even greater impact in the coming year.
