Weekly Media Roundup: April 23, 2025

In Cleveland, Shootings Drop but Kids Are at Higher Risk, Ohio Capital Journal (Ohio)

Homicides in Cleveland, Ohio have declined overall in the past several years, but shooting deaths among people 18 and younger have more than tripled since 2010. Beat the Streets Cleveland, a nonprofit, works to keep kids safe by providing engaging afterschool programming that includes mentorship and wrestling. But program leaders note there aren’t enough resources to meet the needs their communities are facing. “The biggest thing is getting consistent money, and a lot of groups that are working with these kids are not getting it consistently,” Executive Director Demetrius Williams told the Ohio Capital Journal.

National After School Professionals Week acknowledges after school program workers, WTAP (West Virginia)

In honor of Afterschool Professionals Week, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Parkersburg and Washington County recognized 53 staffers for their continued support of West Virginia’s children and families. “I love it. I always kind of wanted to be a teacher,” Regan Joachin, a youth development professional at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Parkersburg, told WTAP. “But now actually being hands on with the kids and doing some of the programming and just watching them in real time take in the information and learn from it and see how they could improve is amazing. I honestly wouldn’t want to have any other job right now.” Students receive a hot meal, academic support, and life and workforce skills training at the six Boys & Girls Clubs sites in Parkersburg and Washington County.

Education Department Cuts Threaten Summer Learning Programs, Axios

Advocates worry recent cuts at the U.S. Department of Education, including the decision to reverse the extension of time for programs to spend COVID relief funds, coupled with threats to the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, will worsen the shortage of summer learning programs this year. These cuts have already led to 12,000 lost summer learning spots in Baltimore and the cancellation of summer career programs in South Dakota. "For every child that's in a [summer] program, there's a parent of at least one more that wants their kid to be in a program, but they don't have access,” Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant told Axios.

Column: Cliff Hagan Boys & Girls Club — Shaping Futures, One Child At A Time, The Owensboro Times (Kentucky)

In a recent guest column for the Owensboro Times, Randy Lanham of Volunteer Owensboro highlighted the many engaging activities happening in afterschool programs at the Cliff Hagan Boys & Girls Club, from basketball to music to science projects. “For some kids, the Club might be the only place where they feel valued, seen, and cared for. It might be the only environment where they’re encouraged to try something new, face challenges, and get the support they need to succeed. For these kids, the Club isn’t just a fun place to hang out — it’s a lifeline,” Lanham writes. Lanham encourages community members to share their time and talents with Club students through volunteering.