The mission of the Trenton After School Program is to provide educational assistance, advocacy and enrichment opportunities to children in the West Ward of Trenton who are in need of this help and support.

Description:
Founded in 1986, the Trenton After School Program is part of an outreach ministry of Nassau Presbyterian Church and Trinity Episcopal Church of Princeton. We operate under Princeton Outreach Projects, Inc., which is a 501(c)3 organization.
We concentrate on academics, have a strong literacy program and a proven track record in the Trenton community. Our executive director, Tina Blackledge, is known for providing a program that dictates success. The program operates at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral at 801 West State Street, in the West Ward of Trenton.

History:
For over twenty years, the Trenton After School Program (TASP) has provided long-term nurture to help elementary-aged children overcome the obstacles of their urban setting. Founded in 1986 as the Latch Key Program, TASP was originally a program of The Crisis Ministry under the leadership of both Nassau Presbyterian and Trinity Church in Princeton.

TASP met once a week at Prospect Street Presbyterian Church during the first year, and twice a week the following year. The experience of these first two years shouted the importance of supporting and enriching the work of the neighborhood schools as many youngsters were falling behind academically. As a result, in the third year, the doors were opened five days a week, welcoming children from the close of the school day until 5 p.m. At that time, the Pastor of Grace Baptist Church invited the program to their ample basement where it continued until 1996 when it moved to Trinity Cathedral.

Initially, TASP’s enrollment was limited to fifteen children. Adequate resources, educational expertise, and an experienced director were all needed before expanding the program. As time progressed, a Board was formed and increased financing secured. Their participation and that of a core group of volunteers made the program possible, providing continuity, curriculum enrichment, love to the children and support to the program coordinator.

In 1991 Tina Blackledge was appointed Executive Director of the program, and staffing increased to two part-time teachers. Since then, the number of students served has increased to about 75 from seven schools, and the staff has grown to meet their needs. TASP, which was incorporated in 1997, now employs 7 part-time teachers, 2 full-time staff, 20 volunteers, 7 Americorps volunteers, and 10 student workers.
In addition to homework assistance and tutoring, the program has grown to provide enrichment activities including drama, dance, the arts, computers, science, music, gym, poetry, and special trips to the New York Stock Exchange, Empire State Building, theatre, and museums.

The participation of parents as board members, tutors, chaperones, and program feedback providers has been invaluable. Workshops and retreats have been hosted for both children and parents concerned with drug and alcohol abuse, conflict resolution, reading, discipline and behavior problems, bullying and gangs, financing education, and computer safety and instruction.

Starting summer 2004, in addition to placing its children in summer camps, TASP hosted a month-long all-day enrichment camp in Trenton. Since then, TASP holds a July enrichment program for grades 3-8 to meet the need for supervision, enrichment, and fun.

Contact people:

Kay Roberts, Board Member, (phone), (email) Tina Blackledge, Executive Director, (phone), (email)

Address:

801 West State Street Trenton, NJ 08618 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.trentonafterschoolprogram.org

Directions:

From 95 take exit #1/TRENTON/RT-29/LAMBERTVILLE onto RIVER RD(RT-29 S) - go 2.3 miles. Continue to follow RT-29 S - go 1.1 miles. Turn LEFT on S LEE AVE - go < 0.1 mile. Turn RIGHT on W STATE. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: N/A   Nearest Bus Stop: don't know