Pennsylvania Out-of-School Time Regional Summit

Government Leaders, Educators, Youth Advocates Meet in Philadelphia Tuesday to Promote State and Local Collaboration in High-Quality Afterschool Programs

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hundreds of educators, policy makers, community organizers, program providers, business leaders and youth will come together Tuesday in Philadelphia in support of out-of-school time programs that keep kids safe, inspire them to learn and help working families. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Summit Out-of-School Time: Creating Positive Collaborations, organized by Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network (PSAYDN), will connect stakeholders with strong local and state leaders to increase awareness and build support for affordable, quality afterschool programs; with special focus on out-of-school time programs serving Southeastern Pennsylvania.

The September 14th Summit is in response to a  study that found that more than half a million Pennsylvania children need – but don't have – afterschool programs, even as statewide demand for afterschool programs has increased, according to the landmark After 3PM study, conducted for the Afterschool Alliance.

Attendees will include Ann Marie Ambrose, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, as well as Susan Corbett and Councilwomen Blondell Reynolds Brown, representatives for gubernatorial candidates Tom Corbett and Dan Onorato, respectively; along with advocates and programs from around the Commonwealth.

"The overwhelming interest and support underscores how critical quality afterschool programs are to youth and families," said Kacy Conley, Director of the Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network. Children and youth benefit from afterschool programs in countless ways. In addition to having a safe, supervised place to go after the school day ends where they get academic help, afterschool programs offer a variety of activities—art, music, dance, sports, fitness, science,  leadership experiences, service learning, career exploration, internships and much more—that help students engage and develop new interests and skills."

Several young people, including Amber Wiggs of Teens 4 Good will talk about the out of school time  programs they participate in and why they believe out of school time  programs are important for youth of all ages. The half-day program includes a panel discussion and workshops featuring research and best practices from Out-of-School Time program leaders in Southeastern Pennsylvania and across the state, such as The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern PA, Philadelphia Youth Network, YouthWorks, Inc., the Chester Youth Collaborative, the Public Health Management Corporation, Federation of Neighborhood Centers, Healthy Communities Initiative, Penn State University and many others.

This Summit provides an opportunity for leaders from Philadelphia, Delaware, Bucks, Chester and Montgomery counties  to come together to emphasize the importance of afterschool programs in their communities and the state.  

"Increased academic achievement, reduced criminal activity, and positive social development are the results of high-quality afterschool activities. Afterschool programs are proven and in high demand and Pennsylvania's youth deserve the opportunities they provide," Conley said.

Story and Photo Opportunity

Tuesday, September 14

Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue

4200 City Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

9:00a.m. – 9:10a.m. - Ann Marie Ambrose, Commissioner of the Philadelphia Department of Human Services

9:10a.m. – 9:25a.m. - State of the Child

9:25a.m. – 10:10a.m. - Panel Discussion

10:10a.m. – 10:30a.m. - Susan Corbett for Tom Corbett for Governor

1:15p.m. – 1:35p.m. - Councilwomen Blondell Reynolds Brown for Dan Onorato for Governor

1:35p.m. – 2:00p.m. - Call to Action

All events are open to the media.

About PSAYDN

The Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) promotes sustainable, high-quality out-of-school time youth development programs through advocacy and capacity building to enhance the welfare of Pennsylvania's children, youth and families. PSAYDN believes all children and youth deserve access to programs that encourage positive youth development and support the successful transition to adulthood. PSAYDN is managed by the Center for Schools and Communities. More information is available at www.psaydn.org.

Media contact: Aylissa Kiely Tyndale for PSAYDN 717-903-0219 (c); 717-763-1661 x117; [email protected]

SOURCE Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network