After-School Activities Enrich Children’s Lives

Proposition 49, passed by voters in November, would pay for before- and after-school programs in elementary and junior high schools with money from the state’s general fund. The measure would not go into effect until the noneducation portion of the budget grew by at least $1.5 billion over its highest level in the previous four years. A 2000 UCLA study and a 2002 UC Irvine report found that where an after-school program was in place, there was an improvement in grades and standardized test scores, more kids stayed in school and went on to college, and there was a reduction in teenage criminal activity in the surrounding area. KAREN KARLITZ spoke with someone who worked on this measure and several people who work in existing after-school centers.

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George Gorton

campaign manager

Proposition 49

The opening of after-school programs via Proposition 49 is expected to begin in 2004 or 2005; start-up is directly linked to the health of the state budget. Arnold Schwarzenegger conceived the idea and was the architect of it.

He traveled to inner-city schools throughout the country and gave kids the message that if he could make it, as an immigrant from Austria, anybody could. But then he realized that it really wasn’t true, that these kids didn’t have a fair chance. He had the advantage of having had teachers, coaches and parents to supervise his activities after school.

The initiative, which was also inspired by the success of LA’s BEST, requires that there be an academic, recreational and homework component in every program. Generally, what Arnold says is: Give me an hour of homework and learning and I’ll give you two hours of whatever fun thing you want to do. His programs are successful because he lets the kids help design them.

Police officers define the hours between 3 and 6 p.m. as a danger zone for kids; it is the time when teen violence is prevalent, kids get injured, get high, become pregnant, etc. For years, law enforcement people lobbied for increased after-school programs without success. Now Proposition 49 will make a real difference.

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M.E. Raco

associate executive director

Boys and Girls Club

of Santa Monica

There are currently close to 4,000 members at the Santa Monica club. Each club is autonomous. In ours, after the first year’s fee of $20, we charge $10 yearly. But if someone cannot pay the fee, it is waived by doing chores or volunteer work at the club.

We’ve begun an initiative to open satellite programs on school campuses because it is difficult for some kids to get to our main branch. We use a classroom or a portion of the school, which may run other programs in addition to ours. Satellites usually stay open until 6 p.m.; our main branch is open until 8 or 9 p.m.

When the children come to the club after school we encourage them to complete their homework before getting involved in other activities. We are fortunate to have so many volunteers from colleges and local businesses. The main branch has a learning center, computer workshop, arts and crafts, gymnasium, skate park, game room and other outdoor activities. We continually initiate new programs to keep the children interested. Recently we started a Friday skate night.

Our program is valuable because it provides children with adult supervision. There’s someone here to work with them and care for them. It gives them a place to come and feel comfortable. We discipline them as needed and sometimes work with the parents.

We teach our members how to make good choices, like saying no to drugs, cigarettes and alcohol. We teach teens how to fill out job applications, how to dress, how to go on an interview. Companies come in and give talks about career opportunities.

We also help students obtain scholarships. We speak to teens about avoiding pregnancy and encourage them to go to college. Most important, we let them know that somebody here cares for them.

The Boys and Girls Club has always had a special concern for those from disadvantaged circumstances, but our dedicated staff is here for all young people. It’s too soon to know if Proposition 49 will benefit our club.

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Tony Giarla

assistant director of club sports

Kids in Sports

This is an offshoot of the Amateur Athletic Foundation, which was set up with money left over from the 1984 Olympics. It is now an independent, nonprofit organization. Last year more than 9,000 children participated at 14 sites. The neighborhoods we seek to place our programs in are those where the children need the most help. The major difference between us and other sports leagues is that we empower community members to take responsibility in their children’s lives and the lives of all the neighborhood kids. We help them form a governing board of parents and volunteers. With our guidance, the board sets up the leagues and schedules and does the recruiting, registration and advertising. We provide training for the coaches, supply the uniforms and equipment and pay for the referees. If problems arise, we are there to help.

Whether it’s working in the snack bar, coaching or being a board member, parents are required to take part. Most activities are from 5 to 7 p.m. during the week. Game day is Saturday, although some clubs have so many teams that they have to play every night.

I think Proposition 49 is excellent, but I don’t think it will have a major effect on what we do.

Increased self-esteem, better communication skills, learning to work with others to accomplish common goals, development of leadership qualities and physical and mental fitness all help to keep kids off the streets and prepare them for school, college and life.

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Marie Cazares

activities consultant, LA’s BEST

We offer after-school activities that the children would not normally get in school, such as tennis, piano and chess lessons, and the entire program is free. Located on site at 104 elementary schools primarily in disadvantaged areas, the program serves more than 18,000 children. The idea is to catch the kids early.

There’s a great emphasis on making these kids understand that whatever situation they’re in, they don’t have to stay there. We teach them that they can achieve, that anything is possible. If these kids were not in LA’s BEST, they would be at home. Maybe they wouldn’t be alone, but sometimes families don’t push kids to try harder, reach that goal, go over and beyond, to think about the future.

I am a product of LA’s BEST. I thought when I grew up I’d stay at home with a husband and kids. But being in this program encouraged me to go to college and finish; it encouraged me to accomplish what I thought I never would. So many of our kids have similar stories to tell.

In addition to academic enrichment, we offer wood shop, arts and crafts, engineering clubs, football, basketball, volleyball and more.

We’re in support of Proposition 49. But no one has a crystal ball; we just don’t know when it will kick in. When it does, LA’s BEST would be well positioned to benefit from it.