Budget Cuts Curb After-School Programs In N.J.
HACKENSACK, N.J. (AP) -- Budget cuts have cost funding to after-school programs that serve nearly 9,000 children of the working poor in New Jersey.
The state cut $7.4 million in aid to the New Brunswick-based charity that supported the programs as part of Gov. Chris Christie's 2010-11 budget.
New Jersey After 3 says only 18 non-profits serving 26 schools and 3,800 students received funding. More than 12,000 children were served last year.
Peter Thornton of the Boys & Girls Club of Paterson & Passaic, which didn't get a grant, tells The Record newspaper the club needs to come up with $400,000 or more to pay for its four after-school programs in Paterson. It has begun charging fees.
Programs that did receive funding are getting less than last year.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
