Statewide Partners to Rally for Afterschool Programs

Over 300 "Lights On Afterschool" Events Planned Throughout the Commonwealth

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) today announced that Pennsylvania's afterschool advocates will join a nationwide series of rallies for afterschool during the 11th annual Lights On Afterschool on Thursday, October 21, 2010. More than 15 million children are unsupervised each weekday after the school day ends, according to research from the Afterschool Alliance. Afterschool programs keep kids safe, inspire them to learn and help working families.

Organized by the Afterschool Alliance, Lights On Afterschool 2010 is expected to include some one million Americans at 7,500 events throughout the nation and over 300 events in the Commonwealth. 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. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is the Chair of Lights On Afterschool again this year, a position he has held since 2001.

Members of the Pennsylvania State House and Senate, along with Governor Rendell have proclaimed Thursday, October 21, 2010 as Lights On Afterschool Day. Events will call for expanding afterschool opportunities so that every child who needs a program has access to one.

For a listing of events taking place across Pennsylvania, go to www.PSAYDN.org.

In conjunction with Lights On Afterschool, the Afterschool Alliance this month released "America After 3PM: From Big Cities to Small Towns."  The report details the barriers to accessing afterschool services in communities of different sizes – rural, suburban and urban, illustrating the need for more programs. The research is drawn from the "America After 3PM: A Household Survey on Afterschool in America." Research was funded by JCPenney Afterschool. Complete findings are available at www.AfterschoolAlliance.org.

About PSAYDN

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.

CONTACT: Aylissa Kiely Tyndale

717-903-0219

SOURCE Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network