Van Buren Intermediate School District (VBISD) has been awarded $1,012,860 through Michigan’s 32n Out-of-School Time (OST) Grant, administered by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP).
Van Buren Youth Initiative (VBYI) will utilize the grant to expand OST programming in eight local school districts (Decatur, Gobles, Bloomingdale, Lawrence, Hartford, Lawton, Mattawan, and South Haven) along with the VBISD Summer Migrant Program, increasing access to safe, engaging, and enriching environments beyond the traditional school day. VBYI is a countywide program coordinated by Van Buren Intermediate School District that provides free, high-quality out-of-school opportunities for students.
“For Van Buren County, the 32n Out-of-School Time grant represents more than funding; it represents opportunity,” said Erin Kucharski, Van Buren Youth Initiative Coordinator. “This investment allows our community to open doors for students who need safe, welcoming places to learn, connect, and belong beyond the school day. Through expanded programming, students across the county will have greater access to experiences that build confidence and support their academic and personal growth.”
The 32n OST grant is designed to reduce barriers to participation for families while strengthening student engagement, social development, and academic success. In communities where transportation, income, and geography can limit access, this funding helps ensure equitable opportunities for youth.
“What I’m most proud of is that this funding turns years of relationship-building into real, tangible opportunities for students,” Kucharski added. “It helps level the playing field so more young people can walk into safe, welcoming spaces after school and in the summer and know they belong there. This work strengthens partnerships and allows communities to build on what already works while meeting students where they are.”
VBYI will work in collaboration with participating districts and community partners, including South Haven Center for the Arts, Luc’s Light, and His Place Outreach Center, to offer programming that may include mentoring, leadership development, arts, physical activity, and academic enrichment. Local educators, artists, and volunteers will play a crucial role in creating supportive environments where students can explore their interests and develop skills for the future.
Kucharski also expressed gratitude to the many partners who helped make the grant possible. “We are sincerely thankful to MiLEAP for this opportunity to expand out-of-school time programming across Van Buren County, and to the Van Buren ISD School Board for their leadership and support. I am grateful to Dave Manson, Rebecca DePas, and Melissa Corona for their guidance and encouragement, as well as the Van Buren County Board of Commissioners for their early investment that allowed us to pursue this opportunity. Most importantly, we thank our schools, community partners, and the teachers, artists, and volunteers who show up for our students every day. This work is only possible because so many people believe in our young people and invest in their future.”
MiLEAP awarded more than $73 million statewide to support Out-of-School Time programming, expanding access to high-quality learning opportunities for students across Michigan. Through this investment, VBISD and VBYI are strengthening countywide partnerships and ensuring more students have access to meaningful, engaging learning experiences beyond the classroom, supporting not only academic success but also confidence, connection, and long-term growth.