Attending as guests of honor were young children from various schools, residential programs, out-of-school-time programs and refugee programs from throughout the archdiocese served by Catholic Social Services.

Students of the St. Gabriel’s Out of School Time (OST) Program, a ministry of CSS, recently received a $1,475 grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. The award will fund the purchase of new books for the center, one of 12 CSS operates throughout Philadelphia.

On a hot summer day, there’s nothing like a diving into a cold pool and then chowing down at a barbecue with good friends. That’s exactly what a few area kids – almost 800, actually – did at the eighth annual “Big Splash” picnic, hosted by archdiocesan Catholic Social Services (CSS) on July 20 for the youth in its Out of School Time (OST) program.

Two years ago, Nabil Alattia struggled at a summer camp run by archdiocesan Catholic Social Services (CSS). Now 14, Alattia is working as an aide at that same camp, located at CSS’s Out of School Time (OST) site at Holy Innocents Parish in Philadelphia. Funded through several government and private partnerships, the 12 OST sites serve between 700 and 900 students per year throughout the city.

If you happen to see a flying squirrel with a camera around his neck, you’re probably at one of the Out of School Time (OST) programs offered by Catholic Social Services (CSS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Last week, guest readers visited the OST sites to narrate “My Cousin Momo,” the story of a flying squirrel who struggles to be accepted by his wingless family members.

The event highlights the work of the Catholic Charities Appeal to gather funds that support the work of archdiocesan Catholic Social Services.  Read More: Catholic Philly

Out of School Time (OST) programs are playing an increasing role in the educational landscape and are especially a boon for families where the parents work and cannot pick their children up when the school bell rings.

“This is the best day ever,” declared Tiffany, a youngster from the St. Helena-Incarnation School’s Out of School Time Program in Olney, who was clutching her goodies from the day including a stuffed penguin, candy and a Disney Princess book.

Children enrolled in one of many Out of School Time programs at Catholic and public schools spent a fun day Friday, July 22 at Neshaminy State Park. The OST programs, which archdiocesan Catholic Social Services runs at many Catholic schools across Philadelphia, give young people who live in troubled neighborhoods a safe place to spend time during the summer months and in evenings during the school year.