Weekly Media Roundup, October 26, 2022

Central Ohio Youth, First Responder Mentors Kick Off After School All Stars program, WSYX (Ohio)

For the second year in a row, After School All Stars in Columbus, Ohio is partnering with Columbus Division of Fire, Ohio State Highway Patrol and Columbus Division of Police to offer students a unique mentoring program. The local first responders are paired with students in fifth through twelfth grade, offering guidance, support and friendship. “This is my second year with my mentor," student Brezlin Harris told WSYX during the kickoff celebration. "We talk about a lot of things. He takes me places, and I can express myself to him, basically.”

Kids Channel Energy into Music Through Young Lions Roar Afterschool Program, WQAD (Illinois)

At the Young Lions Roar afterschool program in Rock Island, Illinois, students are learning to express themselves through poetry, rap and art. “I kind of thought it was a good idea to start a program where I can teach poetry for creative purposes but also for purposes like mental health too, to give people an outlet to get their ideas out,” Young Lions Roar Director Aubrey Barnes told WQAD. Barnes drew from his experience working in schools with students with behavioral challenges to develop music workshops that help students connect with themselves and others.

DC Students Visit NASA as Part of Afterschool Program, NBC 4 Washington (District of Columbia)

For the 23rd annual Lights On Afterschool, students from two Washington, D.C afterschool programs toured NASA’s Washington headquarters and met with NASA leaders, engineers and scientists. The conversation was moderated by Hajirah Nadeem, a college freshman and member of the Million Girls Moonshot Flight Crew, who shared about the importance of pursuing one’s passions and subverting people’s expectations of what scientists and engineers look like. “Most people think afterschool’s nice, it keeps kids safe, it helps working parents, but what’s going on is inspiration. Afterschool is about mentors and role models and learning to collaborate with your peers,” Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant told NBC 4 Washington.

Jefferson Elementary Celebrates 'Lights on Afterschool Week' with the Governor, Independent Record (Montana)

Last week, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte joined a Lights On Afterschool open house celebration at the Jefferson Elementary School Age Child Care (SACC) program in Helena. At the event, students took part in hands-on activities such as art and building, while attendees learned more about how the program supports children, their parents, and the community. The open house also marked SACC’s 30^th anniversary. “After-school and out-of-school programs are integral for Montana’s communities,” Montana Afterschool Alliance Director Rachel Wanderscheid told the Independent Record. “They provide parents with a safe place for their children while they finish their workdays, assist schools in providing kids with academic support and learning recovery, but most importantly they give our youth a safe, fun place to engage with peers and grow into our future citizens and leaders.”