U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Chicago's Maggie Daley and Judge Glenda Hatchett joined parents, children, educators and policy makers from around the country to discuss ways to ensure that all children and families have access to quality afterschool programs.  Organized by the Afterschool Alliance, the Afterschool for All Challenge gave people the chance to tell law makers about their support for the afterschool programs that keep kids safe, inspire them to learn and help working families.  See all News Releases about the Afterschool for All Challenge.
 

On April 27, participants attended sessions that address various aspects of afterschool, including:

The Afterschool Alliance also released the first-ever Roadmap to Afterschool for All.  The Roadmap examines the current levels of public and private investments in afterschool programs and provides recommendations addressing funding and legislative action needed to achieve afterschool for all.

 

"At this time of tremendous economic stress, America needs many more quality afterschool programs so that our kids are safe and supervised after the school day ends," said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant. "The No Child Left Behind Act authorized slow, steady increases for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative, but right now we are far below the $2.5 billion authorized for this year."

"Our Roadmap demonstrates just how far we are from making sure every child who needs a quality afterschool program has access to one," Grant continued. "Reaching that goal will require increased contributions from all levels of government and the business and charitable communities. We are looking to the federal government to lead the way."

On Tuesday, April 28, Challenge participants attended the "Breakfast of Champions" with Secretary Duncan, Judge Hatchett and Members of Congress.

At the "Breakfast," the Afterschool Alliance honored Chicago's Maggie Daley for her extraordinary work in providing quality afterschool programs to Chicago's older youth. Daley received the "Afterschool for All" champion award for her national leadership, as well as her work in Chicago. Eight other individuals from around the country were honored as state afterschool champions for their tireless work on behalf of afterschool programs. The honorees are from California, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New York and two are from Ohio.

Youth from across the country, including Gregory Quintero of Bakersfield, California, attended the Afterschool for All Challenge as well. Gregory represented the Bakersfield Police Activities League, of which he is a member.  At the Challenge, he and other youth participated in a special youth leadership training to prepare for meeting with Members of Congress. On Tuesday, Gregory spoke at the "Breakfast of Champions," and met with his Members of Congress. Bright House sponsored his trip.

"I've been attending the Police Activities League program since I was seven or eight," said Quintero, who is now 17 years old. "It's kept me out of trouble and given me the opportunity to see my friends and bond with the cops who work with the program. Programs like the PAL are important because they offer academic help and give kids fun and productive things to do, like soccer, basketball and baseball. I'm very grateful that Bright House Networks has given me the opportunity to meet and talk to my national legislators about all that afterschool programs do for me and for kids around the country."

The Afterschool Alliance is grateful to the following sponsors of this year's event: Abbott, United States Tennis Association, Bright House Networks, Marriott, Inc., Open Society Institute, NAMM, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, Cable in the Classroom, National Afterschool Association, National League of Cities, and Foundations, Inc. To learn more about the Challenge, and view tips on how to participate from home.  See all News Releases about the Afterschool for All Challenge.