Keep the Lights On After School

Keep the lights on to mark the success of afterschool programs in improving academic achievement and changing kids’ lives.

By Kelsey Tokar, NCPC Staff

The tenth annual Lights On Afterschool celebration will take place on October 22, 2009. Across the nation, more than 7,500 communities will show their support of afterschool programs. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has announced its support of the celebration, which is sponsored by the Afterschool Alliance. This initiative is intended to promote the impact of afterschool programs and to raise awareness of the resources needed to keep afterschool programs’ lights on and doors open.

Research has proven that children who participate in afterschool programs maintain a higher attendance in school as well as higher academic achievement. Youth who participate in afterschool programs are also less likely to become offenders. The optimistic environment and emphasis on public safety that afterschool programs promote helps to encourage positive child development. Afterschool programs have provided millions of children with a safe place to go after school, but many more millions still have no place to go.

The Afterschool Alliance works to ensure that all children have access to affordable quality afterschool programs. It believes that afterschool programs are critical to children and families today, but that the need for programs is far from being met.

If you would like to host a Lights On Afterschool event, register your event here to receive email updates, ten free posters, and media promotion. Learn more about Lights On Afterschool.