Weekly Media Roundup: November 5, 2025

Girl Scouts of Maine Launches After-School Programs on Mental Health, News Center Maine (Maine)

Thanks to a Girl Scouts of Maine initiative, elementary and middle school girls in ten rural school districts are participating in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) projects, social skills building activities and much more in their afterschool programs, all with a focus on improving mental health. “There’s a mental health crisis for girls in our state, girls in our country,” Girl Scouts of Maine CEO Mara Moorhead told News Center Maine. “Nearly half of girls in high school report feeling depressed and anxious and lonely. Our suicide rate in Maine is higher than the national average. We have a crisis, and so it's critical that Girl Scouts steps in this way.” Students do not need to be scouts to participate in the free afterschool program.

Danbury Pledges $50k to Soon-to-Open Boys & Girls Club Location on Boughton Street, Ridgefield Press (Connecticut)

With revenue raised by the city’s cannabis tax, Danbury, Connecticut is investing $50,000 in the Danbury Clubhouse. The Club, opening next year, will offer afterschool programs, programs during school vacations and summer camps through the Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield. “As a strong supporter of our youth, I believe the Danbury Clubhouse represents exactly the kind of investment our community deserves,” Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves told the Ridgefield Press. “This Boys & Girls Club facility will give our preteens a safe, inspiring place to learn, grow and connect through mentoring and meaningful activities. It’s a place where kids can discover their potential and build confidence for the future.”

Black Children Are Shut Out of After-School Programs, Study Finds, Word In Black

Nearly two-thirds of Black children in the United States don’t have access to the afterschool programs their parents want for them, according to the latest American After 3PM survey – among the highest rate of unmet demand for any demographic. Cost, accessibility and availability are greatest barriers families face, and families with the highest incomes now spend nine times more on out-of-school time programs than families in the lowest income bracket.  “Our country will be stronger and more successful when all children can take advantage of what after-school programs offer — but, sadly, this study shows we’re nowhere near reaching that goal,” Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant told Word In Black. “We need greater support from federal, state, and local governments, businesses, and philanthropy. Every child deserves access to a quality after-school program.”

Application Now Open for $73 Million in 2025-26 Out-of-School Time Grant Funds, Michigan Business Network (Michigan)

Afterschool and summer programs across Michigan can now apply for $73 million in state grants from the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) – up from $55.8 million in the previous grant cycle, which benefited more than 90,000 students across 700 program sites this year. “Every Michigan student deserves access to learning opportunities that extend beyond the traditional classroom,” Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP, told Michigan Business Network. “This $73 million will have a big impact in communities across the state, helping students stay engaged, discover new interests, and build the skills they’ll carry through their lifelong learning journeys.” Eligible organizations include nonprofits, public libraries, tribal governments, local governments, school districts, and institutions of higher education.