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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Roberto Rodriguez, Program Director of Teen Center at Kingsbridge Heights Community Center on Increasing Funding for After-School Programs
7:00:10
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102 sec
Roberto Rodriguez, Program Director of the Teen Center at Kingsbridge Heights Community Center in The Bronx, urges the city to increase funding for Compass and SONYC after-school programs in the FY 2026 budget. He emphasizes the critical role these programs play in providing safe spaces, academic support, and enrichment activities for New York City youth.
- Rodriguez highlights the funding crisis, noting that stagnant base funding rates have left programs struggling to keep up with rising costs and unable to recruit and retain staff.
- He stresses that increased funding would allow programs to serve more children, offer higher quality programming, and provide more individualized attention.
- The testimony underscores the real-world impact on children and families who depend on these after-school programs for support and opportunities.
Roberto Rodriguez
7:00:10
Hello.
7:00:11
Thank you.
7:00:12
Good afternoon chair Stevens and members of the Children and Youth Committee.
7:00:16
Thank you for your time and attention today.
7:00:18
My name is Roberto Rodriguez and I am the teen center program director of Kingsbridge Heights Community Center in The Bronx.
7:00:23
And I'm here today to urge the city to increase funding for Compass and Sonic after school programs in the f y twenty six budget.
7:00:30
These programs are a lifeline for tens of thousands of New York City youth providing them with safe spaces, academic support, and enrichment activities that keep them engaged after school.
7:00:39
However, due to the stagnant based funding rates, these programs are struggling to stay afloat.
7:00:44
Despite a contract extension through 2028, no additional funding has been provided, leaving programs unable to keep up with the rising cost, low wages have made it nearly impossible to recruit and retain staff, and background check delays have left positions vacant.
7:00:59
Without enough staff, programs are forced to limit enrollment or reduce quality, leaving kids without the after school support they need.
7:01:07
This funding crisis isn't just about budgets, it's about the kids.
7:01:10
If we could hire more staff, we could serve more children, fill all available program slots, and ensure that every child who needs a safe engaging place to go after school has one.
7:01:19
More staff means smaller group sizes, more individualized attention, and the ability to offer higher quality program from academic enrichments to arts, sports, and mentorship.
7:01:30
It means kids who might otherwise be left unsupervised after school have a place to go where they feel supported and empowered to succeed.
7:01:36
This investment isn't just about numbers, it's about real children and families who depend on these programs, our programs.
7:01:43
The city must act now to fully fund after school programs and ensure that every child has access to the opportunities they deserve.
7:01:49
Thank you again for this opportunity to speak on this very important issue that we are facing today.