"We know that kids that participate in afterschool programs do so much better in the classroom, that they do so much better in life," Menino said.

Harvard is investing $5 million over five years to the program, while also coordinating efforts through existing Faculty and programs in the Graduate School of Education.

Harvard President Neil L. Rudenstine entertained the crowd with his own history with afterschool programs as a child.

"Boy, did I have afterschool programs. Every day when I got home I had to take out the garbage, mow the lawn, do the dishes," Rudenstine quipped. "It was very rigorous, a very stimulating program."

Many who were at the kick-off are heavily involved in city afterschool programming, such as the Rev. Gregory Groover, Sr., who chairs the education committee of the Black Ministerial Alliance, a group whose 40 afterschool programs will likely benefit from the new funds.

"As someone who grew up in the projects of New York...I was always aware that I could make it, partly because there was a community center in my housing development that enriched me with afterschool activities," Groover said, moving the crowd with his sermon-like speech.

Ruth Jones, a single parent of three children who all attend afterschool programs at Jackson/Mann, thanked the partners for their efforts, saying she would not be able to hold a full-time job if her children were not in afterschool programs.