More than 400 children have participated in the afterschool program and summer camp at Marcus Garvey Apartments (MGA) in Brooklyn since the programs opened in 2016. Supported by L+M and led by our community partner Grand Street Settlement (GSS), the programs provide a safe and engaging environment for children to strengthen their academic and social skills, as well as nurture their character development through education and enrichment activities. Both programs are offered to elementary school aged MGA residents at no cost.

The afterschool program complements the children’s current school studies, with an additional focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). It also includes team-building exercises, creative arts opportunities, and structured fitness activities to teach the students new skills and healthy behaviors that will help shape their overall development.

Once the school year closes, MGA’s summer camp kicks off from July to August. Providing similar programming to the afterschool program, the summer camp focuses on active play as enrichment, and hosts a variety of museum visits and field trips throughout the summer.

MGA’s afterschool and summer camp programs have been well received by the residents, with 89 percent of families reporting that the program has been helpful to their child, and 85 percent saying that it helped their child academically. Additionally, the afterschool program had a positive impact for the participants’ families because it allowed them to work longer hours or seek employment opportunities.

L+M is very proud of the afterschool and summer program’s success at MGA and remains committed to supporting projects that teach, develop, and empower MGA’s youngest residents.