After-School Programs

Locations:

After-school programs provide academic support and enrichment activities. In recent years, teachers and social workers in our programs and the local schools have encountered more children and families with multiple needs. This is not surprising, given the vulnerable populations we are serving. The need for services in the community is apparent. Ironbound is a historically immigrant enclave: 64% of the nearly 50,000 residents are foreign-born; one-third have arrived in the last 15 years primarily from Central and South America; 82% speak a language other than English at home; 25% live in poverty, and 55% of adults have not completed high school.

The need in the Hawkins School neighborhood of 7,500 people is even more striking: a per capita income of $8,288 and 57% of adults having less than a High School diploma. More than 500 families live in low-income housing that needs improvements. In the Ironbound, 90% of the families served face a language barrier and are unable to assist students with their schoolwork. Parents enroll their children in our programs because they trust staff will go the extra mile to help students reach their true potential.

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ICC’s programs have been designed by staff, partners, and stakeholders, including students and parents, to address children’s needs and create a sense of community. Providing a safe, connecting haven sets the stage for improved learning and academic achievement, stronger relationships, higher self-esteem, and improved attitudes and behavior. Additionally, our Family Success Centers provide supportive wrap-around social services to the children’s families that improve family stability and parenting practices.

Each day is typically divided into three parts: snack, homework, and enrichment.  Activities are designed around student needs, aligned with the school day, and aim to provide a sense of leadership and civic responsibility and to strengthen academic skills, so that students have a stronger sense of self-worth and a greater opportunity to succeed. Student groupings are never larger than 20 students, and we maintain a 10:1 student-to-adult ratio to maximize attention and quality. A strong director and site coordinators ensure solid program leadership.

Activities are led by ICC staff, who include college students, local artists, social workers, environmentalists, civic leaders, and community residents. They are positive role models and bring passion and expertise to their work that they share with students. Artists inspire students to imagine beyond their little world and to develop new technical skills. Environmentalists engage the students in neighborhood truck counting and air monitoring and in community gardening and environmental justice education, bringing science, math, civics, and leadership to life holistically–and surreptitiously. Likewise, in activities like playwriting, chess, and dance, students can grow in ways they do not initially even realize but are immensely enjoyable. In all activities, students learn to respect each other and work together in teams. In addition to enrichment activities, student needs and parent demands require the program to provide daily academic assistance, typically in the form of homework help. Literacy and language development are particular needs in a community where English is typically the second family language and educational attainment among parents is very low.​

Through these activities, we aim to achieve program objectives, including students demonstrating increased academic achievement scores relative to their grade level, a greater sense of self-esteem as reflected in pre- and post-self-assessment tools, and behavioral improvement as evidenced by a self-assessment chart and staff observations. At our Lafayette Street location, we proudly serve students from Ann Street School and Wilson Avenue School. We also welcome students from other schools; however, an additional fee may apply for enrollment.

For information about our After-School Programs:

• Ironbound Community Center After School Programs: 973-465-0947 ext: 403
• Hawkins St. School Family Friendly Center Program: 973-465-0555 ext: 201
• South Street School Family Friendly Center Program: 973-465-0947 ext: 401

Be on the lookout for information regarding our fall program.

Questions? Contact Program Director Deidre Johnson at djohnson@ironboundcc.org.