Scarsdale volunteers raising $200,000 to save Mount Vernon after-school program

SCARSDALE — A group of local volunteers is working hard to make sure that more than 100 children from Mount Vernon's Edward Williams Elementary School don't end up out on the streets or heading back to empty houses after school next year.

The kids have been enrolled in Amazing Afternoons, a 10-year-old program that provides mentoring, homework help and recreation to students in an underprivileged area of Mount Vernon.

The volunteer-run program recently lost its funding due to state budget cuts, but supporters are refusing to give up. Its demise would leave many working families without their regular source of affordable, after-school childcare.

"This program is not dying. We are literally reaching out to everyone who is walking and breathing in this community," said Helene Getz, of Scarsdale.

Getz is one of many supporters focused on raising $200,000 to keep the program going. She has volunteered for Amazing Afternoons for five years; her daughters, Carly and Jaclyn Carlin, have volunteered for six years, teaching dance and forming bonds with the students.

"Giving and extending your hand comes back to you a thousand-fold. My kids have seen that, and I've seen it. I'm attached to this program," said Getz.

Danny Bernstein, of Scarsdale, who has been involved with the program for about four years, is helping spearhead the quest for donations.

It is important to keep the program "for the 125 kids who receive the attention of people outside the community who certainly care about them, are there on a consistent basis and provide role modeling and mentoring to them," Bernstein said. "We use one community to build another community."

Ernest Gregg, principal of Edward Williams Elementary School, said Amazing Afternoons "provides the kids with opportunities to see the world outside of Mount Vernon," by offering field trips to shows like The Radio City Christmas Spectacular and The Lion King on Broadway (with a chance to meet the actors after the show) — as well as places like The New York Hall of Science.

The program also offers recreational opportunities for the children, such as tennis, martial arts, culinary arts and chess. Such activities are vital for impoverished kids in order for them "to compete in the 21st century," Gregg said. "Without these activities, the children's lives will not be as enriched and their ability to compete will be diminished."

The program's volunteers range from high-school students to adults.

"The program gives students something school cannot, which is the invaluable support and friendship of a volunteer," said Ali Schnitzer, a Scarsdale High School senior, who has been a volunteer for six years. "If the program was cut, the families at the school would have children unattended at home potentially in dangerous situations…The program is so vital and helpful to these families, losing it would just be horrible."

Graham Winston, a Scarsdale High School junior, who has volunteered with the program for seven years, added, "I have established some incredible friendships with the children...The parents, along with the children and ourselves (the tutors), benefit tremendously from the program."

So far, supporters have raised $58,000; they hope to have come up with a "substantial amount" of their $200,000 goal by the end of August.

"You can call me eternally optimistic or incredibly naive, but based on the support we are getting from the community, we don't anticipate (not raising the funds)," said Bernstein.

For more information about Amazing Afternoons or to make a donation, go to www.amazingafternoons.org or call 914-761-0600, Ext. 219.