An after-school program in the Bay Area that’s aimed at keeping kids out of trouble is in danger of being cut.  

  • Bay Area students could soon lose after-school Prodigy program
  • Program aimed to keep kids out of trouble
  • Prodigy provides art, music, dance classes

The Prodigy program serves 2500 children throughout the Bay Area. 11-year-old Emil recently went to Tallahassee to show off his fancy footwork as part of a fight to save the after-school program.

Prodigy provides art, music, and dance classes as a way to keep children off the street and out of trouble.

“I just want it to be here. I don’t know how my life would be without it,” he said.

Emil does it all--art, music, and dance.

However, this year, there isn’t enough money to operate the Prodigy program.

Mike Trepper, Director of Prodigy said, “Right now Prodigy only has half of the funding for the next fiscal year which starts July 1st. And half meaning 2.6 of 4.6 million to operate full scale.”

A group, including Emil and his mom, went to Tallahassee to talk to lawmakers about it and share their personal stories.

“I tried to speak from my heart,” Tatiana Mesa said.

The families hope lawmakers listened, otherwise the music and break dancing could stop for hundreds of Bay Area families.

Any money for the program would be included in the state budget. Organizers of Prodigy said they are optimistic but time is running out.

The legislative session ends in May.