PSE&G marks the day with a major funding announcement designed to make afterschool programming more accessible for NJ's working parents NEWARK, N.J., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Students from schools in Hillside joined with corporate and community leaders at The Newark Museum Thursday to celebrate national Lights On Afterschool Day. The celebration was one of thousands held across the country on October 20th to highlight the need for afterschool programming. PSE&G, one of New Jersey's leading businesses, marked the day by announcing a $450,000 grant to make afterschool programming more accessible for working parents. The PSE&G grant to NJ After 3, a non-profit dedicated to expanding afterschool programming across New Jersey, will be split into payments over three years. It will fund the development of a comprehensive searchable database of afterschool activities all around the State, regardless of the whether it is a NJ After 3 funded program or not. It will expand access to information and resources for New Jersey families in need of high quality afterschool activities by allowing working parents to compare information on all of the programs available in their area, to find the one that works best for their family. The corporate contribution to NJ After 3 is the biggest yet for the newly started non-profit, and it highlights how critical it is for NJ business leaders to support afterschool care as a means of workforce development. "PSE&G continues to be a strong and steady supporter of New Jersey's children and families," said Assemblyman Caraballo, whose district benefits from many quality afterschool programs. "I commend them for their leadership in the business community and their commitment to making the future brighter for the citizens of our state." Many of the speakers at the celebration in Newark celebrated the state's growing portfolio of afterschool programs and called for expanded funding for these programs to ensure that children have a safe place to go and develop after the school bell rings. "Many after-school programs across the nation are struggling to keep their doors open and their lights on. But here in New Jersey, the future looks bright," said Ralph Izzo, President and COO of PSE&G. "Today we are celebrating the energy we get when we combine resources- time, talent and money from the community, local and state government and the private sector, to support our children and families." Congress declared its support for the goals and ideals for the nationwide Lights on Afterschool Day celebration. According to a joint resolution passed by the United States Senate and the House of Representatives, more than 28,000,000 children in the United States have parents who work outside the home, and 14,300,000 children have no place to go after school. "With so many one-parent families and families with both parents working outside their homes, afterschool programs have become a very important part of our society. They are a tremendous help to parents who want to give their kids a safe place to learn and grow while giving themselves some peace of mind," said Acting Commissioner of Education Lucille E. Davy. The Hillside students at the event were from Calvin Coolidge, George Washington and Hurden-Looker schools attend. The Newark Museum partners with the Hillside School district to run the NJ After 3 programs. According to Mary Sue Sweeney Price, Director of The Newark Museum, the funding provided by New Jersey After 3 and PSE&G has enabled the Museum use its educational resources in a unique and comprehensive afterschool program. "As a result of a major grant in the amount of $330,000, the Museum is able to provide enriching art, science and cultural experiences to the children of Hillside Public Schools every day that school is in session," she said. "This is an exciting opportunity to extend the Museum's service and outreach into the community." Partnered with local community non-profit organizations, NJ After 3 programs are school-based, which allows parents to work a full day with the knowledge that their children have a safe, structured and supportive alternative to going home alone. The organization has more than doubled its scope and reach since it began programming last September. With 32 new programs in its portfolio, 11,000 kids in 66 schools across the state will be enrolled in its afterschool programs in the 2005-2006 school year. In addition to being head of PSE&G, Ralph Izzo is also the Chair of NJ After 3 Board. "We did the work up front, and we're seeing the payoff now in the faces of the families who are taking advantage of our programs," he said. "We were careful to lay a solid groundwork, and its being strengthened daily by a growing team of supportive legislators, corporate, non-profit and local leaders. I couldn't be more proud of the early growth of this organization or more committed to its long-term success." NJ After 3 (NJA3) is a public- private partnership designed to maximize the resources available to afterschool programs for New Jersey kids. NJA3 receives funding from the State and other public and private sources including: corporate and foundation support, individual donations, local and school district support, and federal funding. Lights On Afterschool! is celebrated nationwide to call attention to the importance of afterschool programs. It was launched in October 2000 with celebrations in more than 1,200 communities nationwide. This October 20th, 1 million Americans are expected to celebrate. DATASOURCE: Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated CONTACT: Jenn Connell of PSE&G, +1-973-430-7734; Mark Valli, NJ After 3, +1-732-246-7936 Web site: http://www.pseg.com/

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