After School Enrichment Program

Middle-school is tough, but the vibrant staff at Phyllis Wheatley Center make it a whole lot easier. After-School Enrichment Program (ASEP) provides a safe, nurturing environment with structure and accountability for middle-school students at no cost. Services are available from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily during the school year, with occasional extended hours during holiday breaks and teacher in-service days.

The Phyllis Wheatley After School Enrichment Program (ASEP) has been in effect since the early 1970’s. Over the past 50 years, the program has had a number of sponsors and has evolved into one of the more respected programs in the community. It has maintained a focus on academic support, cultural arts, and character building, positive family engagement as well as a safe place for youth to spend time with friends and classmates. Strong emphasis is placed on academic support, physical activity, avoidance of violence, and healthy decision-making.

ASEP has trained staff available to meet students, families, and communities where they are and provide support to ensure success among enrolled students.

Summer Kids in Play Program (SKIPP)

The Summer Kids in Play Program (SKIPP) is an eight-week summer enrichment program for children and youth designed to provide a safe, structured, and engaging environment while school is out. The program blends recreation, learning, and enrichment activities that support youth development and positive social connection.

Participants take part in themed weekly activities, educational enrichment, fitness and recreation, swimming, cultural experiences, and scheduled field trips. SKIPP is designed to support working families by offering a reliable and supportive space where children can learn, grow, and stay active throughout the summer.

Reach Program

The Reach Program is a competitive, incentivized internship for young men and women ages 14–18. Participants build essential workforce readiness and leadership development skills, including time management, accountability, conflict resolution, and financial literacy. Youth engage with guest speakers representing a range of professional fields and have opportunities for job shadowing and career exploration to better understand future pathways and workplace expectations.

Empower a Scholar

Our “Empower a Scholar” initiative supports middle school students through our After School Enrichment program, ensuring they receive the educational, emotional, and material support they need to thrive. By contributing to this program, you can help us continue to provide these vital resources at no cost to their families.

We offer three levels of support to fit your giving capacity:

Monthly Support: $100/month
Semester Support: $600/semester
Yearly Support: $1,200/year

Your generous contribution will go directly towards providing comprehensive support to our students, helping them achieve academic success and build a brighter future.

Thank you to our sponsors