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Why We Do What We Do

School-age youth spend 80 percent of their waking hours outside of school, while 1 in 5 young people in the U.S. are alone after the school day ends.
 
"High-quality afterschool programs promote positive youth development and offer a safe space where youth can explore their potential"... while"increasing youth’s earning potential, improving their performance at school, and reducing crime and juvenile delinquency." - Youth.gov

 

Our Goals

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  • Increase community accessibility for youth from low-income areas who otherwise are underserved due to financial limitations​

  • Improve safe options for youth gatherings and decrease the number of unsupervised children after school

  • Decrease opportunities for peer pressure, negative influences, fighting, drug and sex exploration and other unwanted behaviors during the hours between school release and the end of parental workdays. 

  • Increase bonds among local youth, promoting friendship and respect, reducing peer-on-peer violence

  • Increase self-care, well-being, and self-respect through regular interactions, classes, and resources and by providing health and hygiene supplies for youth in need

  • Encourage youth entrepreneurship through our classes, guidance, youth expos and our DREAMBIG program which provides funding for helping young adults setup legal business structures

  • Create community bonds between our organization, our youth, and local businesses by developing an apprenticeship-type program that allows teens to preview new careers and opportunities

  • Raise awareness and activism in our youth through discussions on racial equality, community and systemic issues, and cultural sensitivity

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A need for change recognized

Support for engaging and enriching afterschool programs reached its highest level. America After 3 PM 2020 report shows 87 percent bipartisan parent support of public funding for programs that provide afterschool opportunities to students in communities that have few opportunities for children and youth. 

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TEENS Aged 13-17 are underserved and some of the most vulnerable populations. (3).png

Afterschool programs can support social, emotional, cognitive, and academic development, reduce risky behaviors, promote physical health, and provide a safe and supportive environment for youth but...

Low-income youth have less access to after-school programs than high-income youth.

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The major barriers cited to obtaining quality afterschool activities "are program

cost, availability, and transportation or accessibility". 

Here's how we are trying to help overcome those three hardships:

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Focusing on Middle and High Schoolers

Teenlife.com makes a great point "An after-school enrichment program is one of the very best ways for students to enrich their lives ... Offering teens a chance to learn outside of the classroom, after-school programs are a fantastic way to follow a passion, meet new people, or work on yourself". Yet many teens are phased out of after school programs while they still need a safe environment, positive adults, and productive peer engagement.

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Creating a High Quality Program

We are not teachers but we are passionate and driven positive adults looking to make a difference. Our staff and hands-on volunteers go through Trauma-informed Resilience training, some are not just trained but also trainer certified in areas like Adverse Childhood Experiences. Our training and learning modules come from solid sources with proven track records such as United Ways' Out of School Time Learning Modules and Afterschool Alliances Center and Staff Toolkit.

Quality programs understand that children and youth in different age groups have different academic, psychological, and physical activity needs.

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Of the wide variety of traits to look for in a quality after-school space for 11 through 17-year-olds from AfterschoolAlliance.org, The After School Spot exhibits over 90% including:

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  • Connections to real-world experience

  • Opportunities to interact in large and small groups as well as individual recognition

  • Experiences that explore ethics and values with respected adults

  • Opportunities to serve others

  • Physical activity

  • Opportunities to meet a diverse group of professionals and exposure to college and career paths

  • Games that provide opportunities to practice basic skills, such as chess, checkers, puzzles and word games

  • Wide range of reading activities with a discussion of the ideas found in the books

  • Opportunities to serve others, contribute to the community, or mentor or tutor younger students

  • Opportunities for decision-making and leadership  

  • Opportunities to discuss and address physical risk, including smoking, drugs, drinking and sexual activity

  • Opportunities to express feelings through projects and activities

  • One-on-one opportunities to talk with adults

  • Opportunities to work on school day projects and papers with library and Internet support

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