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Afterschool and summer learning programs are essential for recovery: Factsheet for making the case

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Afterschool and summer learning programs are essential for recovery: Factsheet for making the case

While we know all the reasons why the afterschool field is an essential part of any recovery and re-opening, it may not have occurred to the school leaders, policy makers, partners, and funders that we need to help us keep supporting youth and families through this crisis.

We’ve created a fact sheet, Afterschool and Summer Learning Programs Are Essential for Recovery, to help you show why afterschool programs are critical to recovery, what support programs need to do their work, and how parents, school leaders, businesses, and state federal officials can help.  You can find this resource and more on our COVID-19 site under re-opening.

The afterschool field has a lot to offer our communities, families and youth.  Our country will emerge from this pandemic a different place. The losses are shattering, the stability and economic security of millions of families has been undermined, and many of our children -- our most precious resource -- have been shaken or traumatized. Our number one priority as we emerge from this crisis must be to build or rebuild their resilience and hope for the future.

  • Helping parents get back to work—and potentially covering many hours that students will be out of school. As towns, cities, and states seek to restart local economies, many parents will be unable to go back to work if their kids are still home and without supervision during the after school hours. Further, with many school districts planning on staggered schedules with a mix of remote learning days, afterschool programs can expand hours or services to provide support on those days.
  • Helping youth reconnect and re-engage after this period of loss and isolation. Programs are uniquely positioned to help kids learn and grow--and that includes helping them manage stressful, traumatic experiences. The afterschool field has long focused on the whole child and afterschool staff are trained professionals who stand ready to provide the necessary supports kids need to emerge from this crisis strong, resilient and hopeful.
  • Helping students catch up and keep up. Estimates are that students have lost at least 50% of learning due to school closings. We know that afterschool programs help students reach their full potential – resulting in better grades, greater engagement in school, and an increased likelihood of graduating.
  • Supporting & connecting with families in crisis. Afterschool programs have deep relationships with families and community partners, and a long history of coordinating services to meet families’ economic, health, food and other needs. The pandemic has made those supports more important than ever as the gaps in opportunity that already disadvantage students from low-income families are likely to grow.

However, with programs facing budget cuts at the same time that additional funds are needed to support lower staff ratios, cleaning supplies and protective equipment, programs can’t rise to the meet the needs in our communities without help and support.  To start, we’ve outlined a few ways that parents, school leaders, businesses, and state federal officials can help.  We hope this pieces is helpful in your efforts to articulate afterschool’s role and educate stakeholders on what is needed moving ahead. 

What information or tool do you need to help advocate for afterschool during this time?  Let us know at info@afterschoolalliance.org.

Recapping the third Engage Every Student Summit

On July 16, 2024, the U.S. Department of Education hosted the third Engage Every Student Summit in Washington, D.C. Non-profits, representatives from cities and local governments, and afterschool and summer learning programs gathered at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library to participate in panel...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      08/01/24

Youth Voice Week 2024 was a huge success

The voices of young people are still echoing in afterschool programs across the nation, in the halls of Congress, and across social media after a powerful Youth Voice Week! From March 25-29, the Afterschool Alliance partnered with the Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society and...

BY: Maria Rizo      04/15/24

By helping create my afterschool program, I became the person I am today

By Ava Havidic, Afterschool Youth Ambassador, class of 2024. March 25 to 29, 2024 is Youth Voice Week! All this week, we will publish blogs from our Afterschool Youth Ambassadors, as they describe the impact their program has had on their lives and why afterschool is important to them and their...

BY: Guest Blogger      03/29/24

I'm grateful to my afterschool program for giving me a place to belong and helping me make friends.

By Gabrielle Haynes, Afterschool Youth Ambassador, class of 2024. March 25 to 29, 2024 is Youth Voice Week! All this week, we will publish blogs from our Afterschool Youth Ambassadors, as they describe the impact their program has had on their lives and why afterschool is important to them and...

BY: Guest Blogger      03/27/24

I have been led by my afterschool teachers, and now I am leading the youth of today.

By Jay'Len Clark, Afterschool Youth Ambassador, class of 2024. March 25 to 29, 2024 is Youth Voice Week! All this week, we will publish blogs from our Afterschool Youth Ambassadors, as they describe the impact their program has had on their lives and why afterschool is important to them and...

BY: Guest Blogger      03/26/24

Afterschool gave me access to opportunities that improved my outlook on life.

By Brandon Tibbs, Afterschool Youth Ambassador, class of 2024. March 25 to 29, 2024 is Youth Voice Week! All this week, we will publish blogs from our Afterschool Youth Ambassadors, as they describe the impact their program has had on their lives and why afterschool is important to them and...

BY: Guest Blogger      03/25/24

It's almost Youth Voice Week! Here's how to participate.

Next week marks the start of Youth Voice Week 2024, and all eyes are on the young people in afterschool. From March 25 to 29, we’re amplifying young people’s voices as they share the issues that are most important to them, and we’re inviting your program’s youth to...

BY: Maria Rizo      03/22/24

Afterschool is changing the narrative in my community

By Brandon Tibbs, Afterschool Youth Ambassador, class of 2024. Where I’m from, there’s three ways to be: a “Norbit” (a scholar), a “hoodlum,” or a baller. Afterschool programs aim to change that narrative. A typical day in the ComED youth program would...

BY: Guest Blogger      03/21/24

In afterschool, I had amazing experiences and got to meet amazing people

By Gabrielle Haynes, Afterschool Youth Ambassador, class of 2024. Throughout middle school, I loved going to the Boys and Girls Club afterschool, and I especially loved the staff. Being at the club felt like home to me; it just felt normal and comfortable. Every day, at about 2:15 pm, we would...

BY: Guest Blogger      03/19/24

In afterschool, we're building community and celebrating progress

By Edgar Euceda, Afterschool Youth Ambassador, class of 2024. One meaningful lesson I've learned in the Elsik Afterschool Debate Club, particularly as president of the club, is the importance of having a community that's not only supportive but also celebrates progress.  A few...

BY: Guest Blogger      03/14/24

Youth Voice Week 2024 was a huge success

The voices of young people are still echoing in afterschool programs across the nation, in the halls of Congress, and across social media after a powerful Youth Voice Week! From March 25-29, the Afterschool Alliance partnered with the Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society and...

BY: Maria Rizo      04/15/24

By helping create my afterschool program, I became the person I am today

By Ava Havidic, Afterschool Youth Ambassador, class of 2024. March 25 to 29, 2024 is Youth Voice Week! All this week, we will publish blogs from our Afterschool Youth Ambassadors, as they describe the impact their program has had on their lives and why afterschool is important to them and their...

BY: Guest Blogger      03/29/24

I'm grateful to my afterschool program for giving me a place to belong and helping me make friends.

By Gabrielle Haynes, Afterschool Youth Ambassador, class of 2024. March 25 to 29, 2024 is Youth Voice Week! All this week, we will publish blogs from our Afterschool Youth Ambassadors, as they describe the impact their program has had on their lives and why afterschool is important to them and...

BY: Guest Blogger      03/27/24

I have been led by my afterschool teachers, and now I am leading the youth of today.

By Jay'Len Clark, Afterschool Youth Ambassador, class of 2024. March 25 to 29, 2024 is Youth Voice Week! All this week, we will publish blogs from our Afterschool Youth Ambassadors, as they describe the impact their program has had on their lives and why afterschool is important to them and...

BY: Guest Blogger      03/26/24

Afterschool gave me access to opportunities that improved my outlook on life.

By Brandon Tibbs, Afterschool Youth Ambassador, class of 2024. March 25 to 29, 2024 is Youth Voice Week! All this week, we will publish blogs from our Afterschool Youth Ambassadors, as they describe the impact their program has had on their lives and why afterschool is important to them and...

BY: Guest Blogger      03/25/24

Afterschool is changing the narrative in my community

By Brandon Tibbs, Afterschool Youth Ambassador, class of 2024. Where I’m from, there’s three ways to be: a “Norbit” (a scholar), a “hoodlum,” or a baller. Afterschool programs aim to change that narrative. A typical day in the ComED youth program would...

BY: Guest Blogger      03/21/24

In afterschool, I had amazing experiences and got to meet amazing people

By Gabrielle Haynes, Afterschool Youth Ambassador, class of 2024. Throughout middle school, I loved going to the Boys and Girls Club afterschool, and I especially loved the staff. Being at the club felt like home to me; it just felt normal and comfortable. Every day, at about 2:15 pm, we would...

BY: Guest Blogger      03/19/24

In afterschool, we're building community and celebrating progress

By Edgar Euceda, Afterschool Youth Ambassador, class of 2024. One meaningful lesson I've learned in the Elsik Afterschool Debate Club, particularly as president of the club, is the importance of having a community that's not only supportive but also celebrates progress.  A few...

BY: Guest Blogger      03/14/24

In afterschool, I discovered that my voice could make a difference, in my life and the lives of others.

By Jully Myrthil, Afterschool Youth Ambassador, class of 2024. Being a project leader and board member for Young Voices (YV), a youth organization advocating for policies affecting youth and their communities, has been a life-changing experience. Young Voices has allowed me to use my voice to...

BY: Guest Blogger      03/05/24

It’s important for everyone to feel equal and important. I feel that way in afterschool.

By Willany Sayles, Afterschool Youth Ambassador, class of 2024. Even though I participated in afterschool programs all of my elementary years, my middle school did not have an afterschool program my 6th and 7th grade years because of the pandemic. However, my elementary school was right down the...

BY: Guest Blogger      02/20/24

New tools for OST programs from National League of Cities

Municipal leaders play an important role in supporting and funding local afterschool and summer learning programs, and to help support them the National League of Cities has a new resource page on Afterschool and Summer Learning at the city level geared towards city leaders. The page includes a...

BY: Erik Peterson      08/27/24

Afterschool intermediaries shown to expand supports for youth

New research shows that the organizations dedicated to supporting and advocating for afterschool and summer programs – known as intermediaries – made substantial contributions in helping communities during the pandemic and addressing the inequities made worse by the health...

BY: Ursula Helminski      08/09/24

Afterschool Alliance and National AfterSchool Association team up to support a thriving afterschool workforce

We are excited to announce a groundbreaking collaboration between the Afterschool Alliance and the National AfterSchool Association (NAA), aimed at fortifying the workforce within the afterschool and summer programming sectors. This strategic partnership comes at a critical juncture as programs...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      06/18/24

Measuring Youth Development: How out-of-school time programs collect and use data

Data collection can be one of the most useful – and most challenging – aspects of running an afterschool or summer program. A new Child Trends report commissioned by The Wallace Foundation explores the ways OST programs gauge their work, challenges to collecting data, and tips to...

BY: Ursula Helminski      04/02/24

Find essential OST research on the new Wallace Foundation website

Notice anything new? The Wallace Foundation has recently unveiled a new website. To help users navigate the new site, the foundation has provided an accompanying FAQ to address common questions about the site’s updated features. While steps were taken to ensure that former webpage links...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      01/23/24

Culturally responsive STEM programming: Aim High awardee Geeking Out Kids of Color

This blog is part of a series covering the work of New York Life Foundation Aim High grantees. Awardees receive support for their outstanding out-of-school time programs serving underserved middle school youth. The Aim High grant request for proposals is open now through February 1, 2024...

BY: Maria Rizo      01/02/24

Promising practices and innovative responses for high-quality arts programming in OST

Welcome to the second part of our series unpacking The Wallace Foundation’s recent report, “Setting the Stage: Practical Ideas for Implementing High-Quality Afterschool Arts Programs.” In this blog post, we will discuss the Youth Arts Initiative’s efforts to connect youth...

BY: Elizabeth Bannan      10/17/23

Guest blog: Sparking joy… districtwide

By Laurie Posner, communications consultant. This article originally appeared on the Mizzen Minute on October 2, 2023. It is being shared here with permission. As an out-of-school time professional, having vetted education content at your fingertips — for free — can be a huge help....

BY: Guest Blogger      10/09/23

Connecting young people with high-quality arts programming in multipurpose OST settings

Welcome to our two-part series unpacking The Wallace Foundation’s recent report, “Setting the Stage: Practical Ideas for Implementing High-Quality Afterschool Arts Programs.” In this blog post, we will discuss the Youth Arts Initiative’s efforts to connect youth from...

BY: Elizabeth Bannan      10/03/23

New podcast discusses youth perspectives on program design

In March of 2023, The Wallace Foundation released a three-part podcast series titled Beyond the Classroom, where youth research team members, out-of-school time (OST) practitioners, and field experts discuss the findings of a 2022 student-led study commissioned by The Wallace Foundation,...

BY: Elizabeth Bannan      08/01/23

U.S. Dept. of Ed. recognizes afterschool and summer providers

The U.S. Department of Education has announced its first ever Engage Every Student Recognition Program Champions, recognizing the joint work of schools districts, municipalities, and community organizations to expand afterschool and summer learning opportunities for students. Each of the 13...

BY: Ursula Helminski      06/17/24

The power of representation: Being a role model for the next generation

By Dawn Marie Johnson, MSW, Director of Leadership and Culture for the South Dakota Afterschool Network; School Board Member, Sioux Falls School District Dawn Marie Johnson has been involved in supporting young people and school and afterschool organizations for the past decade. Growing up...

BY: Guest Blogger      07/27/23

U.S. Dept. of Ed. calls for more afterschool and summer supports

The U.S. Department of Education’s Engage Every Student Initiative marked its one-year anniversary last week with the Raise the Bar Summit, a celebration of the progress made toward expanding afterschool and summer programs for youth across the nation and a platform to exchange...

BY: Ursula Helminski      07/17/23

Creating a safe space in afterschool for LGBTQIA+ youth

Photo courtesy of The Gender Spectrum Collection Afterschool programs provide a safe space for youth to be their most authentic selves, with opportunities to engage with peers outside of the school day, connect with caring adults, and explore their interests and passions. But LGBTQ+ youth in...

BY: Maria Rizo      06/27/23

Success stories: The Burma Center

Reflecting on the findings from our recent voter poll, "Afterschool a Priority for Asian American and Pacific Islander Voters," the Afterschool Alliance is amplifying the work of out-of-school providers supporting AANHPI students and their families. The Burma Center is a...

BY: Sophie Kidd      06/26/23

Building peer-to-peer relationships and taking "safe risks": Project Morry

In a conversation with Dawn Ewing, Executive Director of Project Morry, we sat down to discuss how the program is fostering a safe space for youth to re-engage during the summer and how youth are able to define success on their own terms. Project Morry was one of the 36 grantees of the 2021 Aim...

BY: Maria Rizo      01/19/23

January is National Mentoring Month

Afterschool programs are excellent places for young people to meet and engage with supportive adults and find mentors. From STEM superheroes introducing girls to 21st century STEM careers, to caring adults helping with homework and encouraging students realize their full potential, mentorship in...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      01/10/23

New video: This Is Afterschool

We're starting 2023 off with the release of our anthem video, This Is Afterschool, which puts a spotlight on some of the amazing activities available in quality afterschool and summer learning programs. From ballet to sailing, and from rocketry to theater, afterschool programs are...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      01/03/23

Celebrating 25 years of masterpieces with a masterpiece of a movie

“We want to show the softness.” – Mingotae Kebede, director and producer A filmmaker and former staff of a long running Washington, DC Afterschool program, Life Pieces to Masterpieces was asked to help the program create a small video to commemorate the program’s 25th...

BY: Jillian Luchner      12/09/22

California celebrates the 20th Anniversary of Proposition 49

The energy was buzzing at Bell Gardens Intermediate as students, school leaders, and afterschool advocates including former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona gathered to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Proposition 49, the initiative that created...

BY: Emily Murtaugh      12/05/22

Introducing Eleanor Willette, our new Administrative Assistant

Hello! My name is Eleanor Willette (she/her) and I am so excited to be joining the Afterschool Alliance as an Administrative Assistant. In this role I will be working with our Executive Director Jodi Grant, and with our Development team. I grew up participating in afterschool programing, which...

BY: Eleanor Willette      09/24/24

Introducing Alana Edmond, our new Research Associate

Hi everyone! My name is Alana Edmond, and I am elated to be joining the Afterschool Alliance as a Research Associate. In this role, I’ll be working with the research team on various projects aimed at communicating the impact afterschool programs have on students and families nationwide. My...

BY: Alana Edmond      09/10/24

Welcome Leslie Brooks, our new STEM Hub Manager

Hi everyone! My name is Leslie Brooks and I am so delighted to be joining the Afterschool Alliance as the new STEM Hub Manager. I am trained as a veterinarian with several years’ experience working as a clinical practitioner. Now, you might be wondering, how does a veterinarian end up at the...

BY: Leslie Brooks      09/19/23

Welcome Lucy Maddox, our Communications Associate!

Hello! My name is Lucy Maddox, and I’m very excited to be joining Afterschool Alliance as a Communications Associate! When I was growing up, afterschool and summer programs were a big part of my childhood. My parents, who both had full-time jobs, pushed me to join every afterschool activity...

BY: Lucy Maddox      07/24/23

Welcome Rebecca Salms, our new Office Administrator!

Hello! My name is Rebecca Salms, and I am so excited to be the new Office Administrator at the Afterschool Alliance. As is the case for so many others, raising a family without access to afterschool programs would have been a struggle, maybe even impossible, for me. Luckily, we did have access...

BY: Rebecca Salms      06/15/23

An afterschool champion starts a new chapter

It was September of 2004 when the Afterschool Alliance first lauded David Cicilline, then Mayor of Providence, for headlining a rally at the Rhode Island State House that was the culminating event in the state’s remarkable four-day Lights On Afterschool celebration. Our appreciation for him...

BY: Jodi Grant      06/12/23

Amobi Okugo joins board of the Afterschool Alliance

We are thrilled to introduce you to the Afterschool Alliance’s newest board member, Amobi Okugo! When we first met Amobi, he was surrounded by excited youth at a Lights On Afterschool celebration. A former professional soccer player, he had volunteered to come play with kids and show them...

BY: Ursula Helminski      05/16/23

Introducing Jasmine Crovador, our new Administrative Assistant!

I am beyond excited to have joined the Afterschool Alliance team as an Administrative Assistant for our Executive Director, Jodi Grant. In this role, I will be able to apart of both the development and administration side of Afterschool Alliance. Please allow me now to dive into who I am and why...

BY: Jasmine Crovador      04/20/23

Welcome Elizabeth Bannan, our new Project Associate!

Hi! My name is Elizabeth Bannan (she/her) and I am the new Project Associate on the Field Outreach team at Afterschool Alliance. I will be focused on supporting our youth ambassador program and the Million Girls Moonshot Flight Crew program. Throughout my childhood and teenage years, I was able...

BY: Elizabeth Bannan      01/17/23

Introducing Emily Murtaugh, our Engage Every Student Fellow!

Hi! I’m Emily Murtaugh, and I am one of two Engage Every Student (EES) Fellows on the Research Team. In this role I am researching how ESSER III dollars have been allocated and will be spent by school districts. As a result of this work, we will have a better understanding of the impact ARP...

BY: Emily Murtaugh      11/14/22

Fighting antisemitism and Islamophobia in afterschool

As the war in Gaza continues to grind on, college and university campus protests calling for ceasefire and divestment from Israel are grabbing headlines. While many of the protests are peaceful, some have turned violent, with protesters chanting antisemitic slogans or calling for harm against...

BY: Alexis Steines      05/24/24

Celebrate Black History Month in afterschool

February marks the celebration of Black History Month, an opportunity to honor and commemorate the profound contributions of Black folks throughout history. See new resources for afterschool providers to engage students in meaningful discussions and activities that highlight and celebrate Black...

BY: Maria Rizo      02/16/24

Culturally responsive STEM programming: Aim High awardee Geeking Out Kids of Color

This blog is part of a series covering the work of New York Life Foundation Aim High grantees. Awardees receive support for their outstanding out-of-school time programs serving underserved middle school youth. The Aim High grant request for proposals is open now through February 1, 2024...

BY: Maria Rizo      01/02/24

Recapping NIEA's Convention: Education Sovereignty. It Begins with Us.

In October, advocates came together in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for the National Indian Education Association’s 54th annual Convention and Trade Show. This year’s theme was "Education Sovereignty. It Begins with Us." The convention was filled with inspiring speakers and...

BY: Sophie Kidd      11/03/23

The power of representation: Being a role model for the next generation

By Dawn Marie Johnson, MSW, Director of Leadership and Culture for the South Dakota Afterschool Network; School Board Member, Sioux Falls School District Dawn Marie Johnson has been involved in supporting young people and school and afterschool organizations for the past decade. Growing up...

BY: Guest Blogger      07/27/23

Success stories: The Burma Center

Reflecting on the findings from our recent voter poll, "Afterschool a Priority for Asian American and Pacific Islander Voters," the Afterschool Alliance is amplifying the work of out-of-school providers supporting AANHPI students and their families. The Burma Center is a...

BY: Sophie Kidd      06/26/23

Activities and resources to celebrate Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month

May is Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month - a month to honor the accomplishments and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States while celebrating their diverse heritages. Here are a few resources and ideas to help you think about ways...

BY: Ursula Helminski      05/15/23

Building peer-to-peer relationships and taking "safe risks": Project Morry

In a conversation with Dawn Ewing, Executive Director of Project Morry, we sat down to discuss how the program is fostering a safe space for youth to re-engage during the summer and how youth are able to define success on their own terms. Project Morry was one of the 36 grantees of the 2021 Aim...

BY: Maria Rizo      01/19/23

Celebrating 25 years of masterpieces with a masterpiece of a movie

“We want to show the softness.” – Mingotae Kebede, director and producer A filmmaker and former staff of a long running Washington, DC Afterschool program, Life Pieces to Masterpieces was asked to help the program create a small video to commemorate the program’s 25th...

BY: Jillian Luchner      12/09/22

Fighting antisemitism and Islamophobia in afterschool

As the war in Gaza continues to grind on, college and university campus protests calling for ceasefire and divestment from Israel are grabbing headlines. While many of the protests are peaceful, some have turned violent, with protesters chanting antisemitic slogans or calling for harm against...

BY: Alexis Steines      05/24/24

New podcast discusses youth perspectives on program design

In March of 2023, The Wallace Foundation released a three-part podcast series titled Beyond the Classroom, where youth research team members, out-of-school time (OST) practitioners, and field experts discuss the findings of a 2022 student-led study commissioned by The Wallace Foundation,...

BY: Elizabeth Bannan      08/01/23

U.S. Dept. of Ed. calls for more afterschool and summer supports

The U.S. Department of Education’s Engage Every Student Initiative marked its one-year anniversary last week with the Raise the Bar Summit, a celebration of the progress made toward expanding afterschool and summer programs for youth across the nation and a platform to exchange...

BY: Ursula Helminski      07/17/23

Creating a safe space in afterschool for LGBTQIA+ youth

Photo courtesy of The Gender Spectrum Collection Afterschool programs provide a safe space for youth to be their most authentic selves, with opportunities to engage with peers outside of the school day, connect with caring adults, and explore their interests and passions. But LGBTQ+ youth in...

BY: Maria Rizo      06/27/23

Activities and resources to celebrate Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month

May is Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month - a month to honor the accomplishments and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States while celebrating their diverse heritages. Here are a few resources and ideas to help you think about ways...

BY: Ursula Helminski      05/15/23

An afterschool program that feels like a family

By Trinity Ansley, Afterschool Youth Ambassador, class of 2023.  Hi everyone, my name is Trinity Ansley! My afterschool program is San Diego Urban League, Project Ready. Having been a member since freshman year and now being the chair of the program as a junior, I really appreciate this...

BY: Guest Blogger      02/27/23

Building peer-to-peer relationships and taking "safe risks": Project Morry

In a conversation with Dawn Ewing, Executive Director of Project Morry, we sat down to discuss how the program is fostering a safe space for youth to re-engage during the summer and how youth are able to define success on their own terms. Project Morry was one of the 36 grantees of the 2021 Aim...

BY: Maria Rizo      01/19/23