STEM Kids NC Awarded 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant
New Partnership with Madison United Methodist Church to Serve Local Students and Families
Madison, NC – STEM Kids NC (dba After School Brilliance) is proud to announce that it has been awarded a 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21CCLC) Cohort 18 Grant by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. This prestigious funding, approved by the NC State Board of Education on May 1, 2025, will support expanded academic and enrichment opportunities for students in the 2025–2026 school year.
This milestone is made even more meaningful through a new partnership with Madison United Methodist Church (MUMC), who will serve as a vital program host site. Together, STEM Kids NC and MUMC will provide a safe, supportive, and engaging environment for students to thrive beyond the school day.
“We are humbled by this recognition and deeply grateful for the opportunity to expand our reach,” said Popi Makris, President of STEM Kids NC. “Through our partnership with Madison United Methodist Church and support from the 21CCLC program, we look forward to nurturing the academic, social, and emotional growth of the children and families we serve.”
The federally funded 21CCLC initiative supports out-of-school time programs that reinforce academic learning, foster family engagement, and provide youth with critical life skills. As part of Cohort 18, STEM Kids NC will deliver hands-on STEM activities, tutoring, arts programming, leadership development, and more—aligned with the needs of students and the surrounding community.
The collaboration with MUMC reflects a shared commitment to community uplift, education for all, and youth empowerment. Free programming will begin in fall 2025, with details about enrollment and hiring opportunities forthcoming.
For more information about the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, visit: NC DPI 21CCLC Program
To learn more about Madison United Methodist Church, visit: www.mumcnc.com
Media Contact:
Popi Makris
President, STEM Kids NC
popi@afterschoolbrilliance.com