Mayor Bowser Awards $2.3 Million in Grants to Non-Profit, Community Organizations Serving District Youth

(Washington, DC) – Mayor Muriel Bowser today announced 34 winners of the 2018 Summer Strong DC Grant Competition and the 2018 DC Housing Authority (DCHA) Summer Coordinating Entity Grant Competition. Together, the organizations, which ensure more than 2,700 young people in Washington, DC have access to safe and engaging opportunities during the summer months, will receive grants totaling $2.32 million.

“Summer is a critical time for our young people – an opportunity to get involved with programs that allow them to discover their passions and interests, grow, and engage with their community,” said Mayor Bowser. “These community organizations support our students every single day, and we are proud to partner with them through Summer Strong DC.”

Two separate grant competitions were released for summer out-of-school time (OST) funding in 2018. The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education (DME) received 84 applications for the 2018 Summer Strong DC Grant Competition, which invited high-performing, community organizations and Local Education Agencies to apply for program funding. For the first time, DME also funded summer programming for young people at two DC Housing Authority (DCHA) properties, increasing access to summer learning opportunities at Woodland Terrace in Ward 8 and Lincoln Heights in Ward 7. Applications for both grant competitions were reviewed by three independent and objective reviewers using a standardized and public rubric.

“Research shows that students who are not engaged during the summer often fall behind their peers. Summer Strong DC is about giving our youth access to opportunities – securing their first job, enrolling in an academic program, learning how to swim, and more,” said Interim Deputy Mayor for Education Ahnna Smith. “We are excited to partner with schools, community organizations, and the DC Housing Authority to ensure all students have a safe, healthy summer, and a strong start to the academic school year.”

The 32 programs funded through Summer Strong grants, which total $2.1 million, will serve children and youth in each of the District’s four quadrants, focusing predominantly on Wards 1, 7, and 8. Fifty-five percent of the funding will go to programming that serves young people in Wards 7 and 8. This announcement comes after Mayor Bowser released her Fiscal Year 2019 budget proposal, which includes historic investments in opportunities for young people before school, after school, and during the summer. The budget includes $19.2 million for OST programming, an investment that will support approximately 27,000 young people.

The following organizations are being awarded 2018 Summer Strong grants:

• A Greater Washington Field of Dreams
• Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington
• Dance Place
• DC Scores
• Friendship PCS
• Higher Achievement
• Hung Tao Choy Mei
• Jubilee Housing
• Kid Power
• Latin American Youth Center
• People Animals Love
• Shaw Community Center
• Sitar Arts Center
• The Fishing School
• The Musicianship
• Washington School for Girls
• Washington Tennis and Education Foundation
• Building Educated Leaders for Life (BELL)
• Dance Institute of Washington
• Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative
• GOOD Project
• Healthy Living Inc.
• Horton’s Kids
• Little Lights
• Multicultural Career Intern Program
• National Center for Children and Families
• Project Create
• Rocketship Education DC
• Sasha Bruce
• Thurgood Marshall Academy PCS
• Youth Entrepreneur Institute
• Young Ladies of Tomorrow

The following organizations are being awarded the 2018 DCHA Summer Coordinating Entity:

• East River Family Strengthening Collaborative (Lincoln Heights)
• Exodus Treatment Center (Woodland Terrace)

“GOODProjects is honored to be receiving the Summer Strong DC grant from the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education! Out-of-school time programs are just as essential as schooling during the year because they help expand youth’s interests and grant them permission to dream,” said Daniel Wright, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer of GOODProjects. “GOODProjects is extremely grateful for this opportunity to scale and have a sustainable impact, and for all those at the Mayor’s Office who believe in our vision.”

The DME partnered with the United Way of the National Capital Area to facilitate the grant-making process. In the upcoming months, the Out of School Time System Set-up Team will offer workshops and support to potential applicants for future grant competitions.

Earlier this year, Mayor Bowser launched Learn24 – an initiative focused on ensuring students have access to safe places to learn and discover their passions and interests beyond the regular school day. Residents can visit learn24.dc.gov to find programs for their children and learn more about out-of-school time opportunities. The Mayor also launched the Commission on Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes, a body of government leaders and residents charged with drafting a strategic plan for how the District coordinates, funds, and supports opportunities for students outside of the regular school day.