America Will Turn the Lights On To Support Afterschool Programs

People all across the United States and at U.S. military installations worldwide will turn the lights on this October by joining the only national rally for afterschool programs.

People all across the United States and at U.S. military installations worldwide will turn the lights on for afterschool this October by joining the only national rally for afterschool programs. More than a million people in thousands of communities are expected to participate in Lights On Afterschool on and around Oct. 23, attending science fairs, rallies, fun runs, community service events, music and dance performances, open houses, and other events at schools, community centers, malls, parks and recreation centers, museums, state capitols, and other settings. All these events will celebrate the afterschool programs that keep kids safe, inspire them to learn, and help working families.

Lights On Afterschool is organized by the Afterschool Alliance to underscore the need to invest in afterschool programs, which offer students the chance to hone their skills and discover their passions. These programs provide homework help, mentoring, sports and physical fitness, robotics, computer programming, community service opportunities, art and music, and other hands-on learning opportunities. For years, the federal investment in afterschool has lagged far behind the need. The chief federal funding stream for afterschool and summer programs is 21^st Century Community Learning Centers. In 2007, the No Child Left Behind Act authorized $2.5 billion for CCLC—but funding stands at less than half that today.  

“When afterschool programs struggle without enough resources to meet the needs of children and families, schools, communities and the country suffer,” said Afterschool Alliance executive director Jodi Grant. “Quality afterschool programs keep students safe and supervised, provide opportunities for them to learn and grow, offer nutritious snacks and meals, prepare youth to succeed in school and in life, and help them expand their horizons through hands-on, engaging activities that are both educational and fun. These programs are often the key to unlocking children’s hidden skills and aptitudes. Every penny invested in an afterschool programs pays dividends for years to come.