What we saw during Lights On 2022: Part 1

Welcome to part one of "What we saw during Lights On 2022." As we head into the new year, we wanted to share some of the first-hand accounts from our staff members who were able to visit afterschool programs during this year's Lights On. You can read part two on the blog. Mark your calendars for next year -- Lights On Afterschool will be Thursday, October 26, 2023!

From Dan Gilbert, director of Whole Child Initiatives:

I attended the Wang YMCA of Chinatown's Lights On Afterschool event in Boston, Mass. The event featured four of the women from the children's book Everyday Superheroes: Women in Energy Careers, and the women and some of their colleagues helped a few dozen elementary school-aged kids to put together small wind turbines that used motors to power small lightbulbs; the kids even got to bring their little turbines home, which they loved! 

Kids rotated into and out of the room to put together their turbines, since it took some hands-on assistance for many of them to get their turbines up and running. The Energy Superheroes also gave out signed books to the kids. It was a blast! It was awesome to see the little kiddos faces light up when they (or, as was often the case, their adult assistants) got their turbines up and running!

From Tiyana Glenn, project manager:

I intended the LEAP Lights On event in Herbert Von King Park in Brooklyn, N.Y. The event started off with an introduction from the executive director and then it was passed off to its host which was a local TV producer from the community. The first performance was a dance that the students learned on-the-spot, prior to the event starting. The second performance was another group of students who went one-by-one stating why they like afterschool. Then one student read a spoken word about Lights On and then two other students sung a song of choice.

We ended with a BIG group photo of the #LightbulbChallenge. They asked me to orchestrate the photo opp for them, so you’ll hear my (retired) afterschool voice in the background of one of the videos as we accomplish this. Other activities that occurred during the event was a mural painting, face painting, and games. I got to meet the LEAP staff, their board member and supporters, and Aly from the NY state network.

Everyone was so appreciative and joyous that it was truly contagious. I’m so glad I was able to attend and witness the awesomeness of this program. It warmed my heart and reminded me of why I started in the field of afterschool.

From Erik Peterson, senior vice present of Policy:

The afterschool program at the Lorton Community Center in Lorton, Va. is brand new and operated by the Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services located not far from where Lorton federal prison used to be. The community center officially opened last week and the program already has 30 elementary students coming five days a week plus a budding high school program. They are in the process of getting the program licensed and the program is free.

Six experienced staff who have worked in other Fairfax County programs were super excited for Lights On and great with the youth. Activities centered around painting the Lights On light bulb logo on rocks, plus coloring, a pizza party, and a lively discussion about why afterschool programs are important. The director has worked in afterschool programs in the area since 2002 and has celebrated lights on each year. With the program being new in this location they used the Lights On event as an open house too and had several perspective families come to check it out - was interesting to hear from parents firsthand about the need for programs in the community. They are already talking about planning a bigger festival style event for Lights On next year.