Afterschool Alliance

More than 500 afterschool advocates - parents, youth, and program directors - from around the U.S. traveled to Washington DC May 17-18, 2005 to meet with more than 200 congressional leaders about afterschool funding. Organized by the Afterschool Alliance, the 4th annual Afterschool for All Challenge began with a day of workshops and training on May 17 and moved into high gear on May 18, kicking the day off with a Breakfast of Champions, at which Senators John Ensign (R-NV) and James Jeffords (I-VT) discussed the importance of afterschool programs. New Afterschool Alliance spokersperson Kevin Sorbo - star of TV's Andromeda and Hercules, The Legendary Journeys - also encouraged lawmakers to provide an afterschool program for every child.

"So, it's come to this. You need Hercules to kick some butt!" Sorbo said at the event. "Every young person deserves a safe place to go after school, where they have opportunities to learn, be engaged with positive role models and become more physically active. For many, that place is an afterschool program. Unfortunately, too many kids are missing out. We must make afterschool programs accessible to all children. I'm excited to join the efforts of the Afterschool Alliance and today call on lawmakers to support afterschool programs."

The Afterschool Alliance presented Afterschool Champion Awards to three exemplary afterschool programs that keep kids safe, inspire them to learn, and help America's families:

After the Breakfast of Champions, students, parents and afterschool leaders met with their senators and representatives to discuss the benefits offered by afterschool programs and to urge them to fully fund the 21st CCLC initiative, increase funding for Child Care and Development Block Grants and other federal funding streams that support afterschool. Advocates also asked Members of Congress to join the Afterschool Caucus, and join they did! Many legislators pledged to help provide better access to afterschool and support the efforts of the Afterschool Caucus after being asked by constituents to do so.

Youth Advocates Speak Out This year, more than 100 youth attended the Challenge to speak out in support of their afterschool programs. Students attended workshops on advocacy, spent time at a "youth lounge" where they socialized with fellow youth advocates from across the country, and prepared for the next day's meetings with Members of Congress and their staff.

"I thought today was excellent," beamed Amber Harden, 13, of the Loch Raven Academy YMCA afterschool program in Towson, Maryland. "It was interesting to actually sit down with the people and tell that them how much we need our afterschool programs . . . so that our kids won't be out on the street and getting in trouble."

Afterschool Rocks the House The 2005 Afterschool for All Challenge concluded with Afterschool Rocks the House, an expo of afterschool programs. Sorbo emceed the afternoon event, which featured Representatives Dale Kildee (D-MI), Nita M. Lowey (D-NY), co-chair of the House Afterschool Caucus, and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). It also included spoken word, dance and musical performances by Rhode Island afterschool students.

"We need really high-quality afterschool programs," said Congressman Kildee. "They provide a safe environment for our kids and they definitely improve academic achievement. … In my district, I know that those afterschool programs today have really increased opportunities. Tell every Member of Congress, 'if you voted for No Child Left Behind, you promised $2.25 billion and give it, because it is an investment, an investment in our future,'" he urged the crowd.

Afterschool student Taylor Bankson, 12, of the Lackawanna Trail Elementary School in Factoryville, Pennsylvania, was recognized for walking the farthest in support of afterschool as part of the Alliance's Pedometer Contest. Pedometers were given to all participants to record their steps as they spent the day visiting Members of Congress. Bankson logged 31,133 steps!

Afterschool programs participating in Afterschool Rocks the House included:

"I thought it was awesome . . . talking to Congress and the Senators and being in Washington for the first time," added Ann Hutchison, 13, an afterschool student from Chanute, Kansas. "It was just a really amazing opportunity."

Challenge Resources

Downloadable materials including sample thank you letter to send to Members of Congress and staff, Hill meeting feedback forms and a presentation outlining tips for successful hill visits.

4th Annual Afterschool for All Challenge a Great Success!

Challenge Resources

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