Mayor Sheffield announces historic $2.2M funding commitment for after-school programming in Detroit

2026
  • Unprecedented City funding commitment will allow after-school programming to expand to four more recreation centers and three public libraries in Detroit 
  • Brings to 40 the number of sites offering after-school locations served by GOAL Line 
  • GOAL Line will work with DPSCD, charter schools, and now homeschool students 
     

Mayor Mary Sheffield today joined with Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) and charter school leaders to announce a historic $2.2-million investment in after-school programming this year.  The funding will allow for the expansion of after-school programming available through the Get on and Learn (GOAL) Line program at seven additional locations, including four City recreation centers and three Detroit public libraries.  

Added to 33 existing after-school locations/partners served by the GOAL Line’s transportation service, this brings to 40 the locations/partners served by GOAL Line, giving students at any DPSCD, charter or home school provider convenient access to after-school programming. The new sites announced today are:

Helen Moore Recreation Center
Coleman A. Young Recreation Center
Williams Recreation Center
A.B. Ford Recreation Center
Conely Library
Lincoln Library
Chaney Library


The new sites were selected based on areas of the city that previously had been underserved to ensure greater equity in access to after-school programming. The expansion of after-school programs aligns with Mayor Sheffield’s vision and commitment to having her administration be a fully supportive partner to educators in Detroit to help them better educate youth, strengthen families, and improve communities.  

"Making sure students have access to after-school programs throughout the school year is good for students, families and educators,” said Mayor Sheffield. “This historic partnership and City investment of $2.2 million will help nearly 1,000 more students this school year access a wide range of educational and enrichment opportunities through the GOAL Line service."

GOAL Line has successfully served 2,708 K-8 students since its inception in 2018. This expansion will result in up to 1,000 more students in Detroit having access to after-school enrichment and/or tutoring through the program for a total of approximately 3,700. Known benefits of afterschool programming include:  

  • Academic improvement 
  • Socioemotional improvement 
  • Drug and violence prevention 
  • Character development 
  • Leadership development 


"GOAL Line contributes to the educational ecosystem in Detroit through impactful, engaging, and exploratory enrichment programming for students," said Dr. Ricky Fountain, Executive Director of The Community Education Commission.

Additional programming consists of behavioral specialist support. GOAL Line employs two behavioral specialists to support the socio-emotional needs of students while they’re receiving their services.  

“My son has been able to take advantage of the programming at GOAL Line for the last four years,” said Sloan Gibson, parent of a FLICS and GOAL Line student. “I’ve watched his interests grow in cooking and coding, which are both classes he was exposed to while being at GOAL Line. It also gives us an opportunity to complete the workday without rushing to his school to pick him up.”  

Originally developed through the City’s Community Education Commission (CEC) in 2018 to bridge the transportation gap between Detroit students and their schools of choice, the GOAL Line program has grown into the administration’s principal after-school programming arm, providing nearly 60 individual programs and activities to more than 2,700 individuals through 2025.  

Mayor Sheffield’s investment follows significant community engagement and feedback around the need to broaden access and availability to high-quality, after-school opportunities. By working collaboratively with critical GOAL Line, DPSCD, charter partners and home school providers, this network of enrichment resources and opportunities for Detroit’s youth has now expanded to its largest ever.  

"This investment removes a barrier standing between our students and the after-school opportunities they deserve,” said Dr. Nikolai Vitti, DPSCD Superintendent. “DPSCD is proud to partner with Mayor Sheffield and the City of Detroit as we work together to support more students and families.”

“Investing in high-quality, after-school programming is an investment in the whole child—and ultimately, in the health, well-being, and future of all youth across the city of Detroit and every community we serve,” said Ralph Bland, CEO of New Paradigm for Education, Charter Schools said. “In addition, after-school programming addresses the conditions that shape children’s academic success, economic mobility, and long-term quality of life.”

The establishment of a new youth and education capacity under the leadership of Dr. Chanel Hampton early in her administration, along with Mayor Sheffield’s commitment to broadening resource access will pay major dividends for Detroit students and families. With seven new sites being added to the existing GOAL Line network, 40 schools, libraries, community and recreation centers, and specialized partner organizations throughout the city of Detroit are now activated on behalf of youth across the city.

GOAL Line partners and locations are available in every City Council district. The expansion is expected to give between 900-1000 additional students safe, reliable transportation to and from school, as well as after-school enrichment throughout the 2026-27 school year.


Other existing GOAL Line After-School Program Locations/Partner Locations:

Northwest Activities Center
Heilmann Recreation Center
Patton Recreation Center
Engaged Detroit
Association for the Advancement of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Cass Community Services Center
Hubbard Library
Edison Library
Parkman Library
Redford Library
Sherwood Library
DAAS (Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences)
Bagley Elementary School of Journalism and Technology
Bow Elementary-Middle School
Bunche Preparatory Academy
Detroit Achievement Academy
Cornerstone Adams-Young Elementary Academy
Cornerstone Adams-Young Middle Academy
Foreign Language Immersion & Cultural Studies
John R. King Academic & Performing Arts Academy
Palmer Park Preparatory
Pasteur Elementary School
Schulze Academy for Technology and Arts
The School at Marygrove
Vernor Elementary School
Warrendale Charter Academy
Fisher Magnet Academy
Durfee Elementary-Middle
Thirkell Elementary-Middle
Munger Elementary-Middle
Paul Robeson Malcolm X Academy
Nolan Elementary-Middle
Edison Elementary


GOAL Line provides a list of enrichment activities that aid in those benefits including:  

  • Art Club   
  • Jaguar Cheer   
  • Show Chair   
  • At Bat   
  • Track and Field   
  • Dancing Dolls   
  • Basketball Drills   
  • JV Cheer   
  • Girl Scouts    
  • Robotics   
  • AI Coding  
  • Music Studio – Music Creation   
  • Podcasting   
  • Detroit Tuft   
  • Urban Dance   
  • After-school Cafe   
  • Our Hour Painting  
  • Urby Education    
  • Spanish Swag   
  • Color in Gaming   
  • Content Creation  
  • Yum Village   
  • Photography   
  • Yoga Adventures/House of Bastet LLC   
  • GamFit   
  • Cosmetology Practical Skillz   
  • Pilates     
  • Chess   
  • Reading Rockets   
  • Art K-8  
  • CHAMPS         
  • Book Club   
  • Aerobics K–2   
  • Dance Club   
  • Glow and Grow through Yoga and Meditation   
  • Little Scholar Book Club    
  • Social Emotional Learning  
  • DAAS Elite   
  • Drumline     
  • Coding and Tech Club   
  • Tutoring at Redford, Parkman, Edison, Sherwood & Hubbard libraries
  • Computer Science   
  • Financial Literacy   
  • Environmental Sciences   
  • Pottery  
  • Leather Making   
  • Swimming  
  • Gaming