CSI Star Opens Afterschool for All Challenge - April 19, 2010

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CSI Star Opens Afterschool for All Challenge - April 19, 2010

By Ursula Helminski Posted: Apr 19, 2010

This morning, television's CSI: NY star Hill Harper kicked off the 9th annual Afterschool for All Challenge with an impassioned message about the need to provide support and encouragement to young people. Besides being an accomplished TV and film actor, Harper is a huge supporter of young people, and has written two bestsellers aimed at young adults who are trying to find their way in life. As he has said, "I want young women and men to have knowledge of the things that can bring them true empowerment: education, a strong sense of purpose, compassion, confidence and humility..."

Harper's speech fired up our crowd of 2,000 attendees -- all afterschool supporters of one kind or another, from afterschool staff and youth to educators and advocates to local and state officials.

One of my favorite moments actually came just before Harper's speech, when 17-year-old afterschool youth Ebony Moore took the stage to introduce the actor, author and youth advocate. It was hard to believe that Ebony is only a sophomore in high school. She spoke with incredible poise, showing off the skills she's honed in her YMCA afterschool program, where she and her peers draft and debate legislation, and argue cases in mock trials. It's no wonder she won a special scholarship from Bright House Networks to travel from Birmingham, AL to attend the event. (Read more about Ebony in our News Release.)

After the opening event, attendees fanned out to attend workshops and panel discussions on topics ranging from Afterschool and Extended Learning to Global Compentency Afterschool. There was even an area to demo indoor tennis that can be set up in minutes in any afterschool setting, organized by the USTA.

Tomorrow brings more excitement as Ebony and 600 others head to Capitol Hill to talk about the importance of afterschool. Hundreds of face-to-face meetings will take place with Congressional offices, as well as a huge rally out on the Capitol Lawn. The Challenge is being held April 19-21 in Washington, DC in conjuction with the National AfterSchool Association 2010 Convention and National League of Cities Afterschool Summit.

The 2010 NAA Convention/Afterschool for All Challenge is sponsored by: JCPenney Afterschool Fund, United States Tennis Association, Bright House Networks, Quaker Chewy, Torani, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Open Society Institute, Peavey Electronics, NAMM, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, D.C. Children & Youth Investment Trust Corporation, and Cable in the Classroom, Council on Accreditation, and National Summer Learning Association.