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While the All Stars Afterschool program at Our Lady of Mount Carmel is celebrating its 7th anniversary, changes in funding could affect its ability to continue to serve the city’s most vulnerable youth.

Founded in 2011 through a collaboration with the Friendship Train Foundation, the loss of its 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant now puts the science, technology, engineering, arts and math [STEAM] education program in jeopardy of continuing.

“The after-school program has made a huge difference for our children and families,” Principal Sister Jude Boyce said. “The STEAM programming not only improves students’ skills in those areas, but it also helps their language skills. This is very important for us, because over half of our students are English-language learners who speak Spanish at home.”

The award-winning serves 158 students in grades 1 to 8, with 90 percent of its participants qualifying for free or reduced price meals. Administered four days a week, the 8-week, interactive, project-based program features everything from beach ecology, robotics, anime, and yoga to 3D design, guitar lessons and chess.

Because of the loss in the federal-state funding and the financial constraints of educating a low-income population, the private Catholic school administers are turning to the community for support.

“The All Stars is a terrific program that has had a great impact on children, families and Asbury Park as a whole,” Michel Marks, Friendship Train president, said. “It now needs others to pitch in with funds, goods and services to help keep it running.”

All Stars was recognized in 2014 by the U.S. Department of Education. It was one of only three programs nationwide to be featured in the 21st Century Community Learning Center Virtual Showcase.

“The program provides essential services to some of the most underserved and disadvantaged youth of Asbury Park, but the positive impact of the program goes beyond the school’s walls to the community as a whole,” Mayor John Moor said.

To support All Stars After-School program, visit friendshiptrain.org/contribute or mail donations to Friendship Train Foundation, 75 West Front Street, Suite 4, Red Bank, NJ 07701. 

[Photos courtesy of Mt. Carmel]

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