Pictured: Children playing at Newtown Estates Park

A new after-school program run by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County could ensure a brighter future for 100 more students in North Sarasota. A program, funded with an $181,000 grant from the Barancik Foundation through a partnership with Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, will launch on Sept. 8. “This venture will open new doors to greater opportunities for the children served at Newtown Estates Park to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens,” said Bill Sadlo, president and CEO at the Boys and Girls Clubs.

The after-school program will be at Newtown Estate Parks. Teri Hansen, CEO of the Barancik Foundation, said the project seemed a great opportunity in large part because it doesn’t require extensive construction but just an expansion of existing programming. She also said it will reach kids during the after-school period of the day when youth are most at risk.

Tamara Chapman, director of marketing for the Boys and Girls Club, said the program is focused on encouraging youth to achieve academic success through homework assistance and other learning resources. “The program has been tested and tried,” Chapman said. The program will encourage students to also look at completion of school programs, whether that means training at a vocational program or pursuing college education, and that should result in boosts for the entire community." 

“After-school programs can be some of the most rewarding and enjoyable times for kids,” added Carolyn Brown, director at Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources. “We’re honored to be a part of this new initiative.”

Pictured: Children playing at Newtown Estates Park