Founded in 1938, Carver was an early leader in the national movement of providing students support after school. Once Carver expanded beyond its community center into Norwalk’s schools, Carver began to receive very competitive 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grants. This is the only federal funding source dedicated exclusively to support local after-school, before-school and summer learning programs.
In 2001, The U.S. Congress expanded the 21st Century program through the No Child Left Behind Act. Through NCLB, Congress increased the funding for the 21st Century program from $40 million to $1 billion.
With NCLB, Congress also changed how 21st Century grants were distributed. Rather than give money directly to schools, the program began distributing funds to states. The amount of money allocated to each state is now based on the percentage of schools within a state that qualify as Title I schools (schools where at least 40 percent of the students are from families living below the poverty line). The states then determine how the funds are distributed to schools and to nonprofit organizations like Carver.
21st CCLC funding enables Carver to provide provide students with unique opportunities they might not otherwise have access to, including STEM opportunities, college and career exploration, workforce development, and social and emotional supports. 21st CCLC helps Carver to close opportunity and achievement gaps for our students.