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KIND to celebrate Lights On Afterschool

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KIND to celebrate Lights On Afterschool

By Guest Blogger Posted: Jul 25, 2019

By Daniel Lubetzky, CEO of Kind LLC.

KIND is helping programs celebrate the 20th Lights On Afterschool this October 24. KIND will be on hand at about a dozen Lights On Afterschool events AND they’re donating 150 KIND products to Lights On Afterschool sites nationwide, until supplies run out. Register now!

Daniel Lubetzky, CEO of KIND, had this to say about afterschool programs, Lights On Afterschool, and Empatico, a free online platform incubated by the KIND Foundation to help educators spark curiously, kindness, and empathy. Empatico connects groups of students ages 6-11 with peers domestically and around the world through a combination of live video and activities. Get the details and sign up here to earn a $50 Amazon gift card for trying out Empatico.

Afterschool and summer learning programs give children a chance to explore the world through play and expose them to cultural activities, as well as helping them to build a positive attitude towards school and community.

These initiatives are very similar to what drives the mission of KIND Snacks, which is “to make the world a little kinder.” We all have the power to make a difference; at KIND, we believe that kindness can change the world. Through this belief, KIND established the KIND Foundation, which aims to foster kinder and more empathetic communities. The foundation’s mission is brought to life through a variety of programming meant to celebrate and inspire positive action, such as Empatico.

Empatico is currently incubated by the KIND Foundation and empowers teachers and students to explore the world through experiences that spark curiosity, kindness and empathy. The organization combines live video with activities designed to foster meaningful connections amongst students ages 6 to 11.

A partnership with Afterschool Alliance made perfect sense to us at KIND and we are so pleased to recognize the great work of afterschool programs in giving kids opportunities to learn and grow, and providing working families peace of mind. KIND is delighted to celebrate the 20th anniversary of keeping the “Lights On” by working with afterschool programs across the country to provide kids and families healthy snacks and introduce them to Empatico and its user-friendly, free platform!

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5 ways to bring health and wellness to your Lights On Afterschool event

Afterschool, before-school, and summer learning programs play a vital role in supporting both the physical and mental health of the young people they serve, and Lights On Afterschool is the perfect...

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Celebrate your students' talents during Lights On Afterschool

Lights On Afterschool is the perfect opportunity to put the young people in your afterschool program center stage. Hosting a talent showcase is a great way to get students excited to participate...

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Host a rally for Lights On Afterschool

We’re 7 weeks out from the 27th annual Lights On Afterschool! One of the most powerful ways to celebrate Lights On Afterschool is by hosting a rally. These events bring communities together,...

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Top tools for planning your Lights On Afterschool celebration

We’ve got 9 weeks to go until Lights On Afterschool! Register your event today, to make sure you'll have your 10 free posters well before October 22. Need a spark of inspiration? Whether...

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It's here: The Lights On Afterschool 2026 poster!

Lights On Afterschool returns October 22, and we’re excited to unveil the artwork for the 2026 Lights On Afterschool poster.  Sarah R., a 7th grader at South Asian Youth Action...

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The 2026 Lights On Afterschool Poster Contest is open

The Lights On Afterschool poster contest is officially open, and this year, we’re looking for any artwork that represents the spirit of afterschool programs. This includes murals,...

The 2026 Lights On Afterschool Poster Contest is open

The Lights On Afterschool poster contest is officially open, and this year, we’re looking for any artwork that represents the spirit of afterschool programs. This includes murals, paintings, graphics on social media, and anything else that celebrates afterschool. Be creative! We...

BY: Shaun Gray      03/02/26

Lights On Afterschool 2025, all across South Dakota

For Lights On Afterschool, I was able to spend a whole week in South Dakota as the guest of afterschool network director Billy Mawhiney. I was asked to share a little bit about my whirlwind experience on both sides of the Missouri river. Day 1: Sioux Falls On the first day, we visited...

BY: Jillian Luchner      11/06/25

ACT Now and the YMCA celebrate Lights On Afterschool in Chicago

On October 23, I had the opportunity to attend ACT Now’s Lights On Afterschool event in Chicago! Hosted in partnership with the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, the event began with breakfast and mingling before the 100 or so guests were ushered into the event space for an informative and...

BY: Lucy Maddox      10/31/25

The stars of Lights On Afterschool 2025

From coast to coast, youth, families, professionals, and fans of afterschool turned out in spades for Lights On Afterschool. Despite–and maybe in the face of–much uncertainty around federal funding and policies, plus a government shutdown, the country shined bright for the 26th annual...

BY: Ursula Helminski      10/24/25

Today's the big day!

Happy Lights On Afterschool day! In Alabama, students and families are mixing pre-Halloween thrills with science skills at a spooky science lab with hands-on experiments, eerie activities, and hair-raising fun. In California, families will enjoy a Dia de los Muertos celebration to honor culture,...

BY: Lucy Maddox      10/23/25

Boston’s South Station, New Orleans’ Superdome, New York’s Niagara Falls among landmarks that will be lit in yellow and blue for Lights On Afterschool this week

This month, as more than a million people across the country rally for Lights On Afterschool, cities and towns will light landmarks in yellow and blue to show support for afterschool programs. Now in its 26th year, Lights On Afterschool is the only national rally for afterschool programs, which...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      10/22/25

Lights On Afterschool events across the country will spotlight the fun, hands-on STEM learning opportunities afterschool programs provide

From programming robots to launching rocket parachutes, students in every part of the country are exploring STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) at Lights On Afterschool events this month. Organized by the Afterschool Alliance, Lights On Afterschool is the only national rally for...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      10/21/25

Digital billboard from coast to coast will shine a light on how afterschool programs help students reach their potential

Afterschool champions led by the Afterschool Alliance, the National League of Cities and the National Summer Learning Association are joining Clear Channel Outdoor (NYSE: CCO) for a large national visibility campaign across nearly 2,000 digital billboards as part of the 2025 national...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      10/20/25

Superstar USHER to serve as honorary chair for Lights On Afterschool

R&B superstar USHER is lending his voice to the call for more afterschool programs by serving as Honorary Chair of Lights On Afterschool for the second consecutive year. Organized by the Afterschool Alliance and now in its 26th year, Lights On Afterschool is the nation’s only national...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      10/17/25

Let’s celebrate Lights On literacy in 2025

By Meredith Scott Lynn, Founder and CEO of WRiTE BRAiN WORLD. Hello, afterschool angels and expanders of learning! Here’s the dealio we all know to be true: when learning is fun, disguised, inspiring, colorful, and rela Janerl Lampson, the principal of Expanded Learning in...

BY: Guest Blogger      10/02/25

The 2026 Lights On Afterschool Poster Contest is open

The Lights On Afterschool poster contest is officially open, and this year, we’re looking for any artwork that represents the spirit of afterschool programs. This includes murals, paintings, graphics on social media, and anything else that celebrates afterschool. Be creative! We...

BY: Shaun Gray      03/02/26

The stars of Lights On Afterschool 2025

From coast to coast, youth, families, professionals, and fans of afterschool turned out in spades for Lights On Afterschool. Despite–and maybe in the face of–much uncertainty around federal funding and policies, plus a government shutdown, the country shined bright for the 26th annual...

BY: Ursula Helminski      10/24/25

Meet the Arya, the winner of the 2025 Lights On Afterschool poster contest

Lights On Afterschool season is officially underway, and you may have already spotted this year’s ! We sat down with the talented artist behind the design, 12-year-old Arya Bhatt of East Brunswick, New Jersey, to hear about her afterschool experience and the inspiration behind her artwork....

BY: Maria Rizo      09/25/25

Celebrate Lights On Afterschool with a Lights On Afterschool swag kit!

Looking for swag to celebrate Lights On Afterschool? We’ve partnered with S&S Worldwide to offer afterschool programs that have registered for Lights On Afterschool this week, an opportunity to win one of five S&S Lights On Afterschool Easy Packs! A Turnkey Kit for 50 Participants:...

BY: Shaun Gray      09/04/25

Chatting with the Lights On poster contest winners

Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Unsplash Sophia and Elizabeth are youth participants at RAD ART, a key component of the Houston Healthy Hip-Hop initiative in Houston, Texas. Led by Ms. Harper, the afterschool program director, RAD ART offers a unique blend of artistic exploration and personal...

BY: Shaun Gray      08/22/24

Meet the winner of our Lights On Afterschool poster contest

This year’s poster was created by Elizabeth F. and Sophia P. from Houston Healthy Hip-Hop: RAD ART, an afterschool program in Houston, Texas. Elizabeth and Sophia’s artwork features youth engaged in various afterschool activities, from science experiments and break dancing to space...

BY: Shaun Gray      08/15/24

The stars of Lights On Afterschool 2025

From coast to coast, youth, families, professionals, and fans of afterschool turned out in spades for Lights On Afterschool. Despite–and maybe in the face of–much uncertainty around federal funding and policies, plus a government shutdown, the country shined bright for the 26th annual...

BY: Ursula Helminski      10/24/25

Lights On Afterschool events across the country will spotlight the fun, hands-on STEM learning opportunities afterschool programs provide

From programming robots to launching rocket parachutes, students in every part of the country are exploring STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) at Lights On Afterschool events this month. Organized by the Afterschool Alliance, Lights On Afterschool is the only national rally for...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      10/21/25

Connect STEM learning to career pathways this Lights On Afterschool

By Abigail Darlington, Director of Communications at STEM Next Lights On Afterschool is the perfect moment to celebrate and uplift the role afterschool programs play in sparking interest in STEM and connecting youth to future careers. At STEM Next Opportunity Fund, we are celebrating Lights...

BY: Guest Blogger      10/16/25

Celebrate Lights On with the 4-H STEM Challenge

By Annia Quiroz, Integrated Marketing Manager at National 4-H Council. Looking for a great way to engage kids in STEM during this year’s Lights On Afterschool? The National 4-H Council's 2024 4-H STEM Challenge, Food for Thought, might be the kit for you and your participants. STEM...

BY: Guest Blogger      09/27/24

Make math magic

By Laurie Posner for Mizzen Education. Just in time for fall and Lights On Afterschool, Mizzen Education and Learn Fresh have teamed up to bring you exhilarating, free content specially designed for afterschool programs to help build math skills. The fun begins with NBA Math Hoops! Invented...

BY: Guest Blogger      09/18/24

The stars of Lights On Afterschool 2025

From coast to coast, youth, families, professionals, and fans of afterschool turned out in spades for Lights On Afterschool. Despite–and maybe in the face of–much uncertainty around federal funding and policies, plus a government shutdown, the country shined bright for the 26th annual...

BY: Ursula Helminski      10/24/25

Boston’s South Station, New Orleans’ Superdome, New York’s Niagara Falls among landmarks that will be lit in yellow and blue for Lights On Afterschool this week

This month, as more than a million people across the country rally for Lights On Afterschool, cities and towns will light landmarks in yellow and blue to show support for afterschool programs. Now in its 26th year, Lights On Afterschool is the only national rally for afterschool programs, which...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      10/22/25

Celebrating Lights On Afterschool with SHADES of Development in Knoxville, Tennessee

I spent Lights On Afterschool in Knoxville, Tennessee, with SHADES of Development! We kicked off the day at a Grab and Go breakfast hosted by United Way and sponsored by the Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB). This was the first year SHADES partnered with KUB for Lights On (KUB reached out, seeing it...

BY: Lucy Maddox      11/12/24

It’s Lights On Afterschool season!

It's on! Lights On Afterschool is back for its 25th year—please join us in the nation's only celebration of afterschool and out-of-school time programs! With 10 weeks until October 24, now is the perfect time to register and begin planning your event. Explore our planning guide to...

BY: Lucy Maddox      08/16/24