Millions Rally Afterschool Programs During 14th Annual Lights On Afterschool

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today in Selma, Alabama, community leaders are judging a talent contest featuring students in the Police Athletic League afterschool program. In Belfast, Maine, the 4-H Afterschool RSU20 program is holding an "All Things that Glow" event highlighting science, technology, engineering and math activities students have engaged in. In East Boston, Massachusetts, students are exhibiting artwork and sharing short stories about superheroes they created.  In Portland, Oregon, students at the Jackson Club are screening their summer film project, "The Quest of Illinois James."

These are just a few of the more than 8,000  Lights On Afterschool events taking place in nearly every community in the country, and at U.S. military bases worldwide this week.  The events, which run the gamut from showcasing science experiments to dance recitals to computer animation demonstrations to sports contests, are all part of the only nationwide rally for afterschool programs. Organized by the Afterschool Alliance, Lights On Afterschool is now in its 14^th year. More than a million people are expected to participate and 48 governors, from New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval have issued Lights On Afterschool proclamations.  

For the seventh year in a row, the Empire State Building will be lit up in yellow in support of afterschool programs. Earlier this month, the PBS program POV began airing the award-winning documentary film "Brooklyn Castle" to kick off the 2013 Lights On Afterschool. The film chronicles the story of a Brooklyn afterschool chess program, which has created the nation's most winning chess team. 

The Afterschool Alliance organizes Lights On Afterschool to draw attention to the many ways afterschool programs support students by offering them opportunities to learn new things – such as science, community service, robotics, Tae Kwon Do and poetry – and discover new skills. The events give youth a chance to showcase the skills they learn and talents they develop at their afterschool programs, and to send the message that millions more kids need quality afterschool programs.

Several hundred event descriptions are at http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/loaEvents2013.pdf.

To find an event in your community, visit http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/loaFindEvent.cfm.

The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization working to ensure that all children and youth have access to quality afterschool programs.  More information is available at www.afterschoolalliance.org.

SOURCE Afterschool Alliance

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