CRANSTON, RI — The Greater Providence YMCA (GPYMCA) is celebrating American Education Week by spotlighting the success of its newly launched After School Enrichment Program at Hugh B. Bain Middle School in Cranston. In just two weeks, enrollment has increased by over 60% and continues to rise.
The After School Enrichment Program is part of a broader initiative funded through a $366,327 Learn365RI grant awarded to the City of Cranston to support after school and summer learning programming.
Students can enroll in the program at no cost and have the opportunity to choose from 12 enrichment offerings from a diverse array of topics and activities, including:
- Culinary Arts – Students explore global cuisine, working collaboratively to prepare meals from scratch.
- Engineering – Participants design, build, and code wooden cars to race in the “Bain Grand Prix.”
- 3D Art – Students create projects ranging from wire sculptures to clay bowls, fostering creativity and exploring various art mediums.
“Out-of-school learning programs are a great way to engage our students, spark creativity, and strengthen academic performance,” said Governor Dan McKee. “I’m grateful to the Greater Providence YMCA and our Learn365RI partners for helping us live out the mission of this initiative: ensuring that in every home, every day, learning matters.”
“The impressive growth of our After School Enrichment Program at Bain Middle School is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of our community partners,” said Mayor Hopkins. “The City of Cranston is proud to support such initiatives that provide our students with enriching, educational experiences beyond their regular classroom hours. The success of these arts and engineering programs highlights the importance of investing in our youth and their future, ensuring they have access to diverse learning opportunities that foster both personal and academic growth, while encouraging paths to future careers.”
The Cranston YMCA, a GPYMCA branch location, oversees program administration, logistics, and academic enrichment planning, leveraging its expertise in youth programming and out-of-school time resources. This includes access to curricula for summer acceleration and camp programs launching in 2025.
“American Education Week is a perfect time to celebrate the power of collaboration in ensuring students have access to meaningful learning experiences,” said Karen Santilli, CEO of the Greater Providence YMCA. “The After School Enrichment Program at Bain Middle School reflects our commitment to providing innovative and engaging ways for young people to thrive both in and out of the classroom. We’re thrilled to see such enthusiastic participation from the school’s community and look forward to offering additional programming this summer.”
The Cranston Public School Department and Bain Middle School provide academic oversight for the program to ensure alignment with Rhode Island Core Standards and address specific student needs. Additionally, the RI Institute for Labor Studies supports the initiative through its Teacher Assistant Training Program, offering academic support to students.
“Cranston Public Schools is pleased to be able to support the City of Cranston and the Cranston YMCA in their participation in the Learn365RI initiative. It’s so important for our community partners to recognize their role in the success of our students. The Cranston YMCA has always been a valued community partner for our students,” said Jeannine Nota-Masse Superintendent, Cranston Public Schools.
In April 2023, Governor Dan McKee launched Learn365RI an out-of-school learning initiative, designed to shift learning from the traditional 180 school days to 365 days of learning by supporting partnerships between municipalities, local education agencies (LEAs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) to expand high-quality, extended learning experiences. Learn more here: Learn365RI
ABOUT THE GPYMCA
GPYMCA includes six branch locations across Rhode Island and in Seekonk, Massachusetts, plus Providence Youth Services, and Camp Fuller. The organization provides programs for Rhode Islanders and Massachusetts residents of all ages and supports equitable access to health, fitness, recreational, and other services. In addition, GPYMCA supports high-quality out-of-school time programs and other community-based approaches to delivering health and wellness opportunities, academic enrichment and achievement, and youth development skills.
