Women's Housing and Economic Development Corp.
WHEDCO at Urban Horizons Economic Development Center
50 East 168th Street
Bronx, NY 10452
Telephone : 718-839-1104
Program Description
WHEDCo’s arts-based After School Enrichment Program including its Project STEP, and Summer Day Camp at the Rafael Hernandez Dual Language Magnet School (PS/MS 218) and at PS 2 are committed to providing a safe environment in which children can develop and extend a positive attitude toward academic, intellectual, cultural, and artistic pursuits that will help them to overcome the obstacles posed by poverty. It is our belief that young people whose childhoods are complicated by poverty are more vulnerable to poor academic performance, emotional and behavioral problems, substance abuse, violence, and teen pregnancy. If their parents are working, seeking work, or otherwise unable to spend quality time with them in the hours after school, their risk increases. Children develop positive attitudes and principles toward life if they are offered appropriate experiences and an atmosphere for healthy fun in which they will learn about social interactions, responsibility and leadership.
The After School Enrichment Program, Project STEP, Teen Program and Summer Arts Day Camp feature diverse and comprehensive curricula that use the arts to build and enhance basic skills. Our two-pronged approach incorporates both direct academic instruction through activities like tutoring, language arts, and homework help, and indirect or “embedded” activities where improving academic performance is addressed through arts, sports, cultural activities like Latin Dance and Percussion, clubs, a conflict resolution and tolerance program, and the advocacy and support of two social workers. We incorporate literacy into many of our ongoing weekly activities and Friday clubs, which include Community Service, a NY Knicks Healthy Lifestyle Basketball clinic.
Program Sites:
PS/ IS 218 - Rafael Hernandez Dual Language Magnet School
Principal: Leticia Rosario
PS 002 Morrisania
Principal: Alexei Nichols