Afterschool for All Challenge
Save the Date: Afterschool for All Challenge 2009 will be held April 27 & 28 at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C. Once again, the afterschool community’s only advocacy focused conference will feature a day of training and networking followed by a day of visits with Congressional offices. Make plans to join hundreds of afterschool advocates in April 2009 to convince our federal policy makers that afterschool is key to kids’ success. See below for highlights from the 2008 Afterschool for All Challenge:
The 2008 Afterschool for All Challenge was a tremendous success! More than 500 advocates, providers, parents and students participated in this year's Challenge and they visited nearly 200 Congressional offices delivering the message that afterschool is key to kids' success.
The 7th Annual Afterschool for All Challenge began on May 13th with a day of training and networking. Sessions focused on the value of afterschool and helping prepare youth for the global economy, health and wellness, costs and financing, programs for older youth and much more. In addition, approximately 50 youth participated in a youth-only advocacy session where they discussed the benefits of afterschool and worked on delivering strong messages about the importance of afterschool programs. The day ended with an art display and jazz performance from local afterschool programs at an evening reception.
 May 14th began bright and early with a "Breakfast of Champions" where Senators Cochran (R-MS), Ensign (R-NV), Nelson (D-NE) and Reed (D-RI), and Representatives Kennedy (D- RI), Kildee (D-MI), Lowey (D-NY) and Regula (R-OH) were honored for their support for afterschool. In addition 16 state champions and 4 MetLife Innovators were recognized. Mayors Cicilline of Providence, RI and Newsom of San Francisco, as well as celebrity chef Tyler Florence also participated in the "Breakfast." Three extraordinary young people -- Brandon Brown of Milwaukie, Oregon; Jamia Gary of Lakeland, Florida and Jaida Morgan of Seattle, Washington – spoke about the benefits of afterschool. T-Mobile sponsored the trips for Brown and Morgan, and Bright House Networks sponsored Gary's trip.
The "Breakfast of Champions" closed with a 10th anniversary celebration for 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) and Secretary Richard Riley was honored for his extraordinary efforts to grow the 21st CCLC initiative during his term as U.S. Secretary of Education.
After the "Breakfast of Champions," students, parents and afterschool and city leaders fanned out across Capitol Hill to participate in meetings with Members of Congress and staff. In the meetings, they discussed the benefits offered by afterschool programs and urged Congress to fully fund the 21st CCLC initiative, the chief federal funding stream for afterschool.
State Afterschool Champions:
The MetLife Afterschool Innovators:
For more details on the Afterschool for All Challenge, press room.
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