Mission Possible! New After-School Program Aims to Serve Over 100 Middle & High School Students
Robin Pittman, MS
Family Life Senior Director
In accordance with our mission to educate and empower children, youth, and their families in North Carolina, the Poe Center for Health Education is excited to announce that we are currently in the process of applying for 21st Century Learning Centers (CCLC) funding.
Authorized under Title IV, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the goal of the Nita M. Lowey 21st CCLC programs is to provide federal funds to establish or expand community learning centers that operate during out-of-school hours providing three specific purposes:
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- to provide academic support,
- academic enrichment experiences,
- and family engagement opportunities.
The Poe Center has a history of providing successful 21st Century programs. From 2021-2024, the Poe Center conducted after-school programs in three high schools in the greater Raleigh area. The programs encouraged personal and professional growth for over 120 high school students and their families. With an emphasis on building life skills through a positive youth development approach, the 21st Century program also provided academic support, career and workforce exploration, CPR/First Aid certifications, field trips, and family engagement programs to students in academic need. A summer extension program was also offered at the Poe Center to help reduce learning loss.
In 2024, the Poe Center was the 2nd place recipient of the Best Practice Spotlight award for this program. The award recognizes outstanding practices involving high school students, teachers, and parents engaged in their 21st CCLC program. The submissions showcased activities emphasizing student, family, and community engagement that address the academic needs of participating students. It also demonstrated the positive outcomes and impact of the activities in supporting the goals and mission of the 21st CCLC program.
This year, the Poe Center, in partnership with Harnett County Schools and Wake County Public County Schools, aims to serve 105 students during the school year and 100 students during the summer at Harnett Central Middle School, Harnett Central High School and Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School. We look forward to this opportunity to continue our mission of empowering students and families through education and engagement
Thank you for your support as we work to bring this valuable program to even more students and communities in North Carolina.
For questions please contact Robin Pittman at [email protected]