Cheryl O'Rourke


SHINE was a Godsend.  As a result of the program, my son began to try harder in class, do better in school and feel better about himself.

One day, the director of the program, Jeannie Miller, spoke to the program parents about pursuing higher education. She said she wanted us show our kids that we could get college degrees, feel better about ourselves and pursue our dreams.  I took her message to heart...

I became involved with the SHINE afterschool program when my son was struggling with school and SHINE was a Godsend. As a result of the program, my son began to try harder in class, do better in school and feel better about himself. He no longer struggles as much with homework and his grades are better. He is also much more independent when it comes to doing his school work and complains less.

I was so impressed with SHINE that I volunteered at homework time and got to know the children. It was great. One day, the director of the program, Jeannie Miller, spoke to the program parents about pursuing higher education. She said she wanted us show our kids that we could get college degrees, feel better about ourselves and pursue our dreams. I took her message to heart and began attending Lehigh Carbon Community College for Early Childhood Education/ Early Intervention. I’m still enrolled and currently have a 3.33 GPA. Through my community college, I got an internship with the SHINE program in the Penn Kidder School. I have found the job that I have always been meant to have and will soon begin my second year working with the children there. I am about halfway to my dream of earning an associate degree and a better life for my family. With out the encouragement of Jeannie Miller and the SHINE program I would not be here.

America's Afterschool Storybook tells the stories of people and communities transformed by afterschool programs.


The Afterschool Alliance launched the Storybook to help commemorate the 10th anniversary of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, the only federal initiative dedicated to supporting community afterschool programs.


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For more information, email info@afterschoolalliance.org


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Gretchen Wright
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gretchen@prsolutionsdc.com