Afterschool nonprofit gets $2.3 million grant

Original Source Iby Kristen A. Graham The Center for Afterschool Education at Foundations Inc., a Moorestown-based nonprofit, has received a $2.3 million grant to help improve the quality of programs that educate children before the school day begins and after it ends. The two-year grant will support professional development of about 5,000 professionals serving more than 350,000 children, officials said. “Children spend more time out of school than they do in school . . . skilled staff are absolutely essential to making the after-school experience more than solely child care or tedious remedial tutoring,” Claudia Weisburd, executive director for the Center for Afterschool Education, said in a statement. Program officials said they will train staff to work specifically as after-school educators, professionals who provide students with hands-on learning and building blocks for successful school experiences. The organization expects to develop courses and certificate programs with colleges and universities, officials said. The two-year grant was awarded by the Atlantic Philanthropies, a nonprofit that aims to help disadvantaged and vulnerable populations. Foundations Inc. runs four Philadelphia public schools, and does after-school work around the region.