Advocates push for investments in preparing children and youth for future workforce needs, cite introduction of House Resolution on Afterschool Return On Investment.
HARRISBURG, Pa., March 27, 2019 — The Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) today convened nearly 200 advocates including students and parents, educators and program providers, policymakers, community, business and faith-based leaders from across Pennsylvania at the capitol to highlight the importance of afterschool and out-of-school time youth development programs. Numerous legislative visits reminded the commonwealth’s leaders that afterschool programs provide many benefits, including keeping kids safe, inspiring them to learn and helping working families. The event was a call to action for all levels of government, philanthropy, business and every sector to step up and do more to support afterschool initiatives.
The Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) recognized 15 champions including elected officials, practitioners, youth and organizations for innovation and excellence in afterschool and summer learning programs that keep kids safe, inspire learning and help working families.
PSAYDN honored U.S. Representative Glenn Thompson as an Afterschool Champion for outstanding work in supporting and promoting meaningful high quality afterschool and out-of-school time programs to benefit children, youth and families across Pennsylvania. The awards took place last night during PSAYDN’s annual reception, which brought together elected officials, program providers, youth, faith-based leaders, parents and business leaders to emphasize the importance of afterschool programs in the state.
Afterschool programs pick up where the school day leaves off. In addition to offering kids a safe, supervised place to go before and after school, on weekends and during summers to get academic help; programs provide a variety of activities – art, music, dance, sports, science, service learning, career exploration and much more – that help kids develop new interests and skills. The Afterschool Champion Awards honor programs, elected officials, youth and practitioners for excellence in the service of children, schools and communities.
Program develops STEM policy leaders in Pennsylvania and recognizes 31 members of the second cohort.
Harrisburg, Pa.— Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) today announced the second cohort of the Pennsylvania STEM Ambassadors Program, which aims to shape the future of STEM education in the commonwealth by targeting vital policy conversations to legislative leadership in the areas of STEM Learning ecosystems, computer science, apprenticeships, state and federal policy for formal and informal education, and workforce needs.
“Afterschool and summer programs play a major role in providing meaningful science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning experiences to diverse groups of youth and PSAYDN is proud to join the ambassadors and partners in this important work,” said PSAYDN director Laura Saccente.
Wednesday, March 27, 2019, 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Pennsylvania State Capitol, Harrisburg, Pa.
Join the Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network, in partnership with Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time (APOST), Pennsylvania School-Age Child Care Alliance (PENN SACCA), for Afterschool Advocacy Day.
Advocates including parents, program providers, youth, educators, faith-based leaders, community and business leaders from across the state will come together to highlight the importance of out-of-school time opportunities in our state.
The day will include a legislative breakfast and visits with legislators, STEM table displays and Rally in the Capitol Rotunda.
Afterschool and summer learning programs are making a difference in the lives of students and their families. Inspire and get inspired by sharing and reading stories of programs.
