An after school program in the Elmira City School District is set to get a big boost from New York State. The ECSD Board of Education approved a measure at its meeting Wednesday night to help make it happen.

The measure allows the district to receive $832,000 a year for the next five years. The money comes from the New York State Education Department’s 21st Century Community Learning Center Program.

The money in this case will go toward helping the district’s ‘ARCADE’ program expand.

‘ARCADE’ stands for “Advancing Relationships, Character and Aspirations Drives Excellence.” It’s a program which district officials say has grown in recent years, and it provides more than a place for kids to hang out together after school.

“It’s designed to be fun for kids, a safe place for students to be after school that’s full of learning opportunities and support in terms of extending outside the classroom with tutoring and extra help,” ECSD Superintendent Hillary Austin said.

According to the district’s website, the program also offers services like physical fitness, STEM projects, arts, service learning, and nutrition instruction.