Despite having lived in Framingham for more than 40 years, Herb Chasan was unfamiliar with the affordable-housing units on Interfaith Terrace and Pusan Road until his friend, Selectman Charlie Sisitsky, brought him there in 2011. Noticing that the community room at each location was sparsely used, he and some supporters successfully advocated for $81,000 in funding from Town Meeting to launch a free after-school and summer program in 2012.

Hoops and Homework, which was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization in December 2014, offers academic, enrichment, and recreation programs in a safe and fun learning environment.

Q. What is your background?

A. I taught math for 18 years at Minuteman [High School] in Lexington, and then I had a contracting business for 28 years. I’m retired and lucky to have a pension, so I don’t take one penny from this. My role is to take care of the staff, but the kids know who I am.

Q. What happens at Hoops and Homework?

A. We have 80 kids registered, starting at 5 years old, and most come regularly so it’s a busy place. It’s open door, with staff and volunteers teaching reading, writing, math, and arts and crafts, plus we have special programs with organizations like Mass Audubon and the Museum of Science. There’s a meal program and all kinds of sportsGivin, not just basketball, as well as puzzles and a lot of games. The older teens act as junior staff members. It’s a thing of beauty to watch them work with the younger kids.

Q. How is it funded?

A. We just got our largest grant, $20,000 from Middlesex Savings Bank, which goes a long way toward our $100,000 annual budget. We’re also fortunate that so many people in the community hold fund-raisers and donate to us. For example, we had a groundbreaking for a donated basketball court on Aug. 18, although we’re still seeking $3,000 to pay for the pole and backboard.

Q. What is your goal for the program and kids?

A. The main thing is they need to do really well in school to get a good job in order to rise out of poverty. I see the need every time I’m down there, but I’m also excited at how far we’ve come.

Hoops and Homework has locations at 12 Interfaith Terrace and 9 Pusan Road in Framingham. For more information, visit hoopsandhomeworkinc.com.

Cindy Cantrell can be reached at cindycantrell20@gmail.com.