***Watch entire announcement on YouTube***

Mayor Cicilline kicks off PASA program that exposes youth to fun activities, bridges summer learning gap  & meets Mayor’s Operation Opportunity goal

PROVIDENCE – Kids dressed in white Aikido robes practiced their moves while others engaged in gymnastics, cooking and performance art at the Providence Academy of International Studies (PAIS).  It marked the first week of the Providence After School Alliance (PASA) summer program for middle school students, an initiative created by Mayor David N. Cicilline as part of Operation Opportunity.

“Keeping children engaged in stimulating, fun activities while brushing up on academics during the summer months is critical to our efforts to accelerate student achievement,” said Mayor Cicilline.  “The healthy development of our kids translates into economic success for our entire community.”

The newly established summer AfterZones combine academic support at Providence Schools with fun activities such as sailing, archery, tennis, hiking, culinary arts, theater, dancing and scavenger hunts at the Roger Williams Park Zoo.  Children begin their day focused on academics and spend their afternoons engaged in activities that reinforce what they’ve learned in the classroom. 

“Extended day and summer programming such as this model provided by PASA benefit our students in very real ways,” said Superintendent Thomas M. Brady. “As research has shown, summer learning loss is a very real phenomenon, and impacts urban students especially. These programs give our students access and opportunity to master new academic, physical and creative skills, keeping their brains and bodies active, which is vital in stemming learning loss.”

Mayor Cicilline launched Operation Opportunity in February during his State of the City Address to create the climatefor residents to access good jobs as Providence repositions itself for the 21-century economy.  The economic action plan holds the City accountable for 30 measurable goals, including the establishment of a middle school summer program to continue the academic progress and experiential learning. 

The summer AfterZones also provide jobs for 40 high school youth who have been hired as counselors through the Mayor’s summer jobs initiative.  The teens received extensive training in the principles of youth development and also receive career and college counseling. The program also places 10 high school students in apprenticeships focusing on arts-based programming.  

The PASA summer initiative was created through the support of the Nellie Mae Educational Foundation, Rhode Island After School Plus Alliance, Workforce Solutions of Providence/Cranston, The MetLife Foundation, City of Providence, Providence Schools, Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence, John Hope Settlement House, Providence Housing Authority and the West End Community Center.

Mayor Cicilline spearheaded PASA shortly after taking office in 2003 to enrich the lives of the city’s middle school-aged youth by providing a network of neighborhood-based, high quality programs after school at AfterZones throughout the city.  Plans are currently underway to expand PASA to include high school students as well.

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