NATIONAL ORGANIZATION NAMES M-DCPS 'S BETANCOURT AN AFTERSCHOOL AMBASSADOR September 19, 2001 The Afterschool Alliance, a national partnership of public, private and nonprofit groups committed to raising awareness about the importance of afterschool programs, today named Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) administrator Annie Betancourt an Afterschool Ambassador. Betancourt, project coordinator of M-DCPS' federally funded 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CLC), was one of only 25 ambassadors selected from around the country and will serve a one-year term organizing public events, communicating with policy-makers and building support for afterschool programs. "We're proud to have Ms. Betancourt on our team, " Afterschool Alliance Acting Executive Director Judy Y. Samuelson said. "She has an impressive record at 21st Century CLC in Miami-Dade County's public schools, and we are delighted she will extend her efforts more broadly as an ambassador." M-DCPS' 21st Century Community Learning Centers enhance the afterschool and evening programs at Booker T. Washington Senior High and Community School and Fienberg/Fisher and Miami Jackson adult and community education centers. "I look forward to sharing the successes we have had locally in bringing schools and families together to provide expanded learning opportunities for children in a safe and supervised environment," Betancourt said. The JC Penney Afterschool Program sponsors the ambassadors program and will contribute $1,000 to the school system's 21st Century CLC. This contribution is part of the retailer's $30 million commitment to afterschool issues. For more information, call Betancourt at 305-995-1818. ### 01-AMC039/JAM Back to Press Releases