As the parents of thousands of youth participating in afterschool and summer programs run by New York Junior Tennis & Learning/NYJTL, the city’s largest and most successful scholastic tennis program, we strongly urge you to include funding for summer youth programs in the upcoming budget.
The FY 21 Executive Budget has eliminated over $213 million in summer funding, leaving nearly 175,000 young people under the age of 24 without positive enrichment or engagement this summer.
COVID-19 has completely changed the landscape of New York City for families and for our children. As spring turns to summer children throughout the city will need relief and restoration from these past few months of self-isolation, and the anxiety and fear caused by the spread of the virus. They will need physical activity, social interaction with their peers, and academic support to help lessen the summer learning loss. Also, as we return to work, the knowledge that our children are participating in safe, structured, summer activities will provide us with the peace of mind necessary to be productive.
Our children can’t wait to get back to their NYJTL programs – programs that provide tutoring, tennis instruction, health & wellness education, arts programming, STEM programming and character development – and the NYJTL program staff that nurture, encourage and inspire.
FREE summer programming is needed this summer more than ever, for our children and for the economic recovery from COVID-19. Please fight to restore funding for youth and SAVE THEIR SUMMER!