MICHIGAN CITY -- An extended-day program for Michigan City students will soon be celebrating its 10-year anniversary with the help of a half-million-dollar federal grant.

Congressman Joe Donnelly, D-Granger, presented the $550,000 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant to the Safe Harbor Program at a press conference at Joy Elementary School, 1600 E. Coolspring Ave., Friday afternoon.

About 30 kids who participate in the Safe Harbor program seemed genuinely enthused as they showed off some of their activities for Donnelly, including playing drums and walking on a giant teeter-totter.

Donnelly had written a letter for the grant application process in support of the program. The grants are administered through the U.S. Department of Education.

The program provides students in kindergarten through grade five, with three hours of after-school, adult-supervised time to work on academic, recreational and enrichment activities. Safe Harbor operates five days a week while school is in session. Students are also provided a snack.

Three Michigan City elementary schools -- Joy, Edgewood and Knapp -- offer a similar program two hours before school begins.

The grant also supports Hours for Ours, a school-based mentoring program partnering Michigan City students with adults in the community.

“Safe Harbor and Hours for Ours are important after-school programs that not only keep our children safe when the school day is done, but also supplement important learning that takes place in the classroom,” Donnelly said.

Two similar programs for middle school students and an eight-week summer camp are available through separate funding.

Debra Whitlow, a fifth-grade student at Joy Elementary School, has participated in the program for five years. Debra said she enjoys the recreation time when she can play with her friends outside.

“I love the Safe Harbor program,” she said.

Donnelly, Michigan City Area Schools administrators and Mayor Chuck Oberlie watched Friday as several students participated in a drumming class through the Lubeznik Center for the Arts and frolicked on special “Challenge Ed” recreational equipment outside.

Joy student Danielle Powers said the grant will help kids like her continue with the program, as she has for five years.

“It means a lot to me,” she said.

Safe Harbor is also funded by a fee per year of no more than $100 per participating family, United Way, Michigan City Enrichment Corp., the city of Michigan City, Duneland Health Council, and the Discovery Alliance.