Our Latest

  • Blog
  • ExpandED Takes to Twitter to Demand Afterschool Funding Protection

ExpandED Takes to Twitter to Demand Afterschool Funding Protection

April 14, 2020

Saskia Traill

Dear Partners, Colleagues, Supporters, Friends, and Students:

As we head into what promises to be a difficult budget season, ExpandED Schools is determined to do everything in our power to protect afterschool funding. Can we count on you to help us protect afterschool funds?

We have just learned that City Council Speaker Corey Johnson has asked Council Members to submit their list of funding priorities to him by Friday. On Wednesday and Thursday, ExpandED will be on Twitter, letting NYC Council Members know that afterschool must be on their list. We will be tagging relevant Council Members (see below) and using the hashtag #CovidLearningLoss to speak to the need for afterschool support to counter the hours of lost learning amid the shelter-in-place order. We hope you will join us on Twitter on Wednesday and Thursday.

If you do not already follow us on Twitter, please do. The handle is @expand_school. Please like and retweet ExpandED posts and feel free to post your own messages about afterschool as an essential human service. Don’t forget to include the #CovidLearningLoss hashtag in your posts.

By coming together we stand the best chance of protecting afterschool programs. Afterschool is designed to address education inequities and provide children with enrichments that build critical learning skills and ensure healthy development. With major budget cuts projected, these programs are vulnerable. But we know that these programs will be all the more necessary to compensate for the academic, social and emotional, and financial losses that will have accrued during the crisis.

We anticipate that we will have to fight harder than ever to protect the money that will allow us to give hard-hit families programs they rely on for their children’s educational success. Just as we are re-tooling our programs to be effective in an online environment, we are re-tooling our advocacy strategies to align with the most effective ways to reach elected officials during the crisis. Even if you haven’t used Twitter in the past, please join us in doing so today.

In solidarity,

Saskia Traill
President & CEO

Share on social media:

Questions?

RAFAEL RIVAS
Communications Director

CONTACT US

Connect

11 West 42nd Street, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10036
t 646.943.8700
e [email protected]

Keep me informed
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Instagram Linkedin Facebook Youtube Bluesky Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.comBluesky

Privacy Policy © 2025, ExpandED Schools

Marleny Polanco

Program Manager, Comprehensive Program Support Team

Marleny Polanco has been with ExpandED Schools for over two years, overseeing literacy programs in the Bronx and Manhattan. With more than 17 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Marleny brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her role.

Known for her meticulous attention to detail and sweet demeanor, Marleny is deeply committed to supporting educators and fostering student success. Her thoughtful approach ensures that literacy initiatives are implemented with care and precision, creating meaningful and lasting impacts in the schools she serves.

Allison Philippin

Program Manager, Comprehensive Program Support Team

Allison Philippin has been a vibrant and dedicated member of the ExpandED Schools team for over three years. She oversees literacy programs in schools across Brooklyn, bringing her energetic and bubbly personality to every interaction.

Allison is passionate about cultivating strong relationships with educators and school communities, consistently pushing for greatness in literacy education. Her enthusiasm and commitment inspire those around her to strive for excellence, ensuring students and educators alike have the support they need to thrive.

Noel Morales

Program Manager, Comprehensive Program Support Team

Noel Morales has been an integral part of the ExpandED Schools team for over three years, bringing his expertise and dedication to literacy education. He oversees literacy programs in schools across the Bronx, supporting educators in creating dynamic and impactful learning environments for their students.

Passionate about equity and access in education, Noel is committed to helping schools implement innovative literacy strategies that inspire a love for learning. His collaborative approach ensures that both teachers, literacy educators, and students have the resources and support needed to succeed.

Alex De La Cruz

Senior Program Manager, Comprehensive Program Support Team

Alex De La Cruz has been a dedicated member of the ExpandED Schools team for over five years, specializing in literacy program support. As a senior team member, Alex oversees literacy initiatives in schools across Brooklyn and Queens, working closely with educators to foster impactful and engaging learning experiences for students.

With a deep commitment to education, Alex focuses on building strong, supportive relationships with schools and empowering literacy educators to achieve their goals. His work reflects a passion for ensuring that every student has access to the tools they need to thrive academically and creatively.

Inayah Ansari

Program Manager, Comprehensive Program Support Team

Inayah Ansari is a seasoned professional with more than a decade of experience in youth development. Throughout her career, she has focused on creating impactful programs and content, particularly in the areas of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and goal development. In addition to her expertise in program development, she has also supervised and coached teams, as well as collaborated with community-based organizations (CBOs) to enhance their efforts in supporting young people.

Inayah’s deep passion for reading books fuels her dedication to her work, especially in her current role with Lit C.R.E.W. She is committed to helping children unlock the joy of reading, believing it can open up a world of possibilities and learning for young minds. Her mission is to inspire and guide children in discovering the wonderful world of books, fostering a love of reading that will benefit them for a lifetime.

Tiffany Perry

Program Director of Lit C.R.E.W., Comprehensive Program Support Team

Tiffany Perry brings over 15 years of experience in education and a decade in the nonprofit sector to her role as Director of Lit C.R.E.W. at ExpandED Schools. She oversees programming in more than 15 schools across New York City, championing innovative literacy initiatives that inspire both educators and students.

A passionate advocate for literacy and creativity, Tiffany is dedicated to empowering young learners to unlock their potential through engaging and meaningful educational experiences. Her work is driven by a deep belief in the transformative power of reading and its ability to connect, inform, and inspire the next generation.