The 9th annual Afterschool for All Challenge was incredible!  CSI: NY's Hill Harper opened the event, which was held in conjunction with the National AfterSchool Association’s 22nd Annual Convention April 19-21, 2010. The meeting brought 2,500 afterschool leaders, advocates, educators and local and state officials to Washington, D.C. to discuss the hottest issues in afterschool, meet with Members of Congress and celebrate afterschool.   

• Check out:  Afterschool Snack blogs on the Challenge,  Press Room and 2010 Photo Gallery;
• Contact Congress and ask for more support for afterschool programs - your voice wil reinforce the message that 600 friends of afterschool delivered personally to Members of Congress;  
• Follow updates and reports via Afterschool Alliance on Twitter and on Facebook; 
• Find out what you can do to keep the excitement of afterschool advocacy going at home.

A few highlights from this year's event: 

• A slate of policy sessions and panels covered afterschool's latest trends and hot topics;
• More than 250 meetings were held with Congressional offices - one-third of all U.S. Senators met face-to-face with afterschool supporters;
• An Afterschool for All Rally of 700 featured Judge Glenda Hatchett and an afterschool cheer on Capitol Hill;
• Guitarist Mark Bryan from "Hootie and the Blowfish" performed at our annual "Breakfast of Champions", emceed by Providence, RI Mayor Cicilline, and featuring an afterschool rap, recognition of state afterschool champions and a lifetime achievement award to Terry Peterson, Chair of the Afterschool Alliance.