A new play area in Youngstown will officially open Tuesday after a ribbon cutting ceremony.

The Kiwanis Club of Youngstown donated $10,000 to update and expand a playground at Taft Elementary, United Way's newest Success After 6 School.

Success After 6 is a pilot program focused on bringing together school and community resources to provide a focus on academic, health and social services, along with social and emotional development, according to the United Way.

They provide tutoring, supplemental programming and after-school support. The program's main goals include improving grade level reading, increasing parent and guardian involvement, focusing on attendance and decreasing tardiness, and providing food and transportation for children who participate in after school activities.

As part of their 100th anniversary celebration, the Kiwanis Club of Youngstown teamed up with the Taft Promise Neighborhood and the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley to rehab the playground at Taft Elementary School. This is also a part of the Taft Promise Neighborhood initiative.

Taft Elementary School Principal John McMahan requested the playground expansion so all of the students could have access to the equipment. The expanded play area will be available for children to play on during recess and after school.

The ribbon cutting will be at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Taft Elementary School, 730 E. Avondale in Youngstown.