The YWCA of the City of New York After School Program at Murry Bergtraum High School provides comprehensive services to support students to achieve success in their academics, career and life. The program has enrolled over 2,250 students since its inception in March of 2002. The program’s goal is to develop students’ intellectual curiosity, academic ability, social values and personal resiliency through programming in four core areas: Academic Support Services, Health and Wellness (including individual and group mental health services), College and Career Readiness, and Cultural and Arts Enrichment.

Academic Support Services:

Open Library—The Open Library program allows students to utilize the school’s library resources for an additional three hours after school. Students have access to the library’s books, magazines, and other research materials as well as the library’s twenty computers to complete their homework, research college and career options, and complete job and college applications. Two certified teachers oversee the Open Library program to assist students with completing homework and special projects, job and college applications, and provide two hours a day of tutoring services. Both teachers are hired from the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Department in the school to provide additional assistance for students with special needs.

Cultural Studies Institute—The Cultural Studies Institute is an intensive bilingual tutoring program for Spanish speaking English Language Learning students. The program focuses on six areas: homework help, tutoring, improving students’ English language comprehension, assisting students to advance to inclusion classes (as opposed to Spanish only classes), assisting students to pass their annual Regents exams, and exposing students to cultural resources throughout New York City.

Health and Wellness:

Individual and Group Mental Health Services—Since the program’s inception after September 11th, the program has been committed to providing therapeutic services to students by consulting with mental health professionals. Through our partnership with NYU Child Study Center, students have access to a psychologist for crisis intervention and one on one and group therapy sessions. An NYU psychologist also facilitates the Chat Room program, which meets weekly to discuss healthy life choices and coping skills. These skills include: conflict and stress management, time management, effective communication and problem-solving.

Girls Rock!—The Girls Rock program provides workshops and activities on the following key topics to improve girls’ resiliency skills and promote healthy choices: positive self esteem and healthy body image, domestic violence awareness, positive relationship building, health advocacy, financial literacy and leadership development.

College and Career Readiness:

College and Career Center—The College and Career Center provides students with resources to advance their college and career goals. The College and Career Coordinator meets with students in one on one and group sessions to guide students in the following areas: career and college exploration, college application submission (college research, personal statement, creating a portfolio), financial aid submission (scholarships and federal aid), SAT preparation, job application process (resume and cover letter writing, interviewing skills), business communications and professionalism skills. The coordinator also organizes guest speaker events with business professionals, job shadowing opportunities, financial aid and financial literacy workshops, and college tours.

Cultural and Arts Enrichment:

The YWCA After School Program provides several cultural and arts activities including: Dance Club, Pizzazz Literary Magazine (publishes annually), Chess Club, After School Theater Company, Fashion Club, and Filmmakers Club.

Additional Activities:

The YWCA After School Program also provides mentoring services, weekly community service opportunities, and leadership development activities such as a student run Youth Court where students hold their peers accountable for disruptive and negative behavior. We also offer many special monthly activities such as field trips to cultural institutions throughout New York City and beyond, guest speakers, award ceremonies and more!

Major Funders: NY State Center for School Safety (As part of the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant; Department of Youth and Community Development Out of School Time grant; The After School Program (TASC)