HARRISBURG, Pa.—According to the Afterschool Alliance, nearly half of students who want to attend an afterschool program do not have access to it. To raise awareness about the need for more afterschool resources, the Afterschool Alliance, is hosting the 23rd annual Lights On Afterschool (LOA) national rally on Oct. 20. Governor Tom Wolf proclaimed Oct. 20 as Lights On Afterschool Day in recognition of the important role of afterschool programs in Pennsylvania. In his proclamation, Governor Wolf recognizes the importance of afterschool programs to keep parents working, build leadership and 21st-century skills in our children, and provide holistic support for the whole child and their social and emotional development and interpersonal skills.
Events focused on science, music and dance, sports and fitness, academics, community service, social and emotional wellness will take place across the country. Events will be held both in person and virtually, organized by schools, 4-Hs, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCAs, parks, museums and community centers.
More than 60 events are scheduled across Pennsylvania, including:
A complete list of Pennsylvania celebrations is available at www.afterschoolalliance.org/loaFindEvent.cfm.
Launched in October 2000, Lights On Afterschool is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs. The effort has become a hallmark of the afterschool movement and annually sees more than one million Americans participate at more than 8,000 events nationwide.
The Pennsylvania State Afterschool/Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) celebrates Lights On Afterschool to underscore the need to invest in afterschool programs, which provide help with homework; skilled mentors; art, dance and music; healthy snacks and meals; computer programming; opportunities to think critically, collaborate and communicate with peers and adults; job and college readiness; sports and fitness activities; robotics; and opportunities for hands-on, team-based learning.
For more information about Pennsylvania’s afterschool network, please visit www.PSAYDN.org.
About PSAYDN
Founded in 2004, Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) at Center for Schools and Communities is one of 50 statewide afterschool networks funded through the Mott Foundation and a host of other funders. Its mission is to promote sustainable, high quality out-of-school time (OST) youth development programs through advocacy and capacity building to enhance the welfare of Pennsylvania’s children, youth and families. With nearly 3,000 members, over 6,000 recognized OST providers, over 100 partners, and serving in all 67 counties, PSAYDN has grown the network by providing services and supports that influence and impact afterschool on national, statewide, and regional levels. For more information, please visit www.psaydn.org.
Media Contact:
Kelly Swanson
kswanson@csc.csiu.org
717-763-1661 ext 117