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Hundreds of afterschool advocates take to Capitol Hill; Congress listens

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Hundreds of afterschool advocates take to Capitol Hill; Congress listens

Last week, more than 400 afterschool advocates and youth stormed Capitol Hill for the 15th Afterschool for All Challenge. Taking more than 250 meetings with Members of Congress and congressional staff, advocates cultivated new allies for afterschool—and got results: 

Friends of afterschool also took action from across the country.  Supporters who couldn't join us in Washington, D.C. sent more than 200 emails to Congress on Tuesday alone and more than 650 emails during the week of the Challenge, bringing us to a total of nearly 4,000 emails to Congress this year.  We're now nearly 40 percent of the way to our goal of sending 10,600 emails on behalf of the 1.6 million kids with 21st CCLC programs at risk—email your representatives in Congress now to help reach that goal.

More than 270 supporters also took part in our Thunderclap campaign, reaching nearly 225,000 members of their social networks.  Many supporters also joined our advocacy efforts on social media throughout the day by posting and tweeting at their Members of Congress to emphasize the importance of afterschool, with a few Members of Congress chiming in themselves—get a recap of the conversation on Storify.

 

5 highlights from the Afterschool for All Challenge 2024

This week, 200 advocates from across the country — including nine of our Afterschool Youth Ambassadors — came to Washington, D.C., as part of the Afterschool for All Challenge. On June 11, supporters attended meetings on Capitol Hill to urge their elected officials to support increased...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      06/13/24

It's the Afterschool for All Challenge! Join us on June 11

The Afterschool for All Challenge is back for 2024! Join us starting Tuesday, June 11, as we head to Capitol Hill to encourage Congress to make sustained investments in afterschool and summer programs. We know that afterschool and summer programs keep kids safe, inspire them to learn,...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      06/07/24

Get ready for the 2024 Afterschool for All Challenge!

The 2024 Afterschool for All Challenge is coming up on June 11! To help afterschool supporters prepare to make their voices heard on Capitol Hill, Erik Peterson, Senior Vice President of Policy, and Maria Rizo, Senior Communications Associate, shared the latest policy news and top tips to advocate...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      05/31/24

Afterschool Program Leaders Meet with Congress

Our Afterschool Ambassadors are at the forefront of making a positive impact in their communities, working tirelessly to support students and families who rely on afterschool and summer programs the most. Last week, thirty of our Afterschool Ambassadors, plus a New Jersey state network staff...

BY: Maria Rizo      06/23/23