Afterschool Programs: Shaping Tomorrow's Leaders

​By: Tyler Hughes, AmeriCorps State & National Member

In the realm of education, afterschool programs emerge as vibrant hubs where learning, enjoyment, and personal development intersect seamlessly. They transcend the conventional boundaries of classrooms, acknowledging their fundamental significance in shaping the paths of the upcoming generation.

Afterschool programs serve as indispensable extensions of the school day, furnishing a secure and organized setting for students. Customized to accommodate diverse requirements, they furnish academic reinforcement, skill enhancement, and enrichment pursuits. Significantly, they address academic and socio-emotional needs, particularly among economically challenged families, providing reassurance to working parents (Afterschool Alliance et al., 2020).

These programs play a crucial role in tackling alarming statistics: Over 15 million students—approximately 3.7 million of whom are in middle school—are left unsupervised between 3 and 6 p.m., prime hours for juvenile delinquency and risky conduct (Afterschool Alliance et al., 2020). By offering a supportive environment during these times, afterschool programs steer students away from negative influences, while also acting as bridges between families and community resources. They often furnish essential snacks or meals, alleviating stress for working parents. Additionally, afterschool programs wield a profound influence on academic achievements, school attendance, and socio-emotional learning, especially benefiting underprivileged students by narrowing achievement disparities and enhancing college and career readiness skills among older adolescents (Vandell et al., 2007).

Furthermore, the advantages of afterschool programs extend beyond academic accomplishments. Studies indicate they cultivate positive behaviors and aspirations for higher education, contributing to a culture of academic distinction (Smink & Expanded Learning & Afterschool Project, 2013). Moreover, they diminish tardiness, reduce dropout rates, and mitigate juvenile delinquency and substance abuse (Council for a Strong America, 2019). Afterschool programs can also promote community engagement and social cohesion by engaging the community in planning and activities, fostering collaborative projects, celebrating diversity, integrating service learning, hosting events, forming partnerships, emphasizing community-based learning, implementing peer leadership programs, encouraging parent involvement, and maintaining open communication channels. These endeavors aid in forging stronger bonds between students, families, and the wider community, fostering a sense of belonging and civic duty. Through community-oriented objectives and initiatives, youth discover a sense of empowerment and healing as they recognize their capacity to effect positive change (BUILD, Inc., 2023).

Despite their myriad advantages, financial limitations often hinder access to afterschool programs, disproportionately affecting low-income households (Afterschool Alliance et al., 2020). One recommended approach to support and expand afterschool programming is through Policy Advocacy Coalitions. These coalitions, comprised of educators, parents, and advocates, collaborate to advocate for increased funding and support for afterschool programs at the state level (California Afterschool Advocacy Alliance (CA3), n.d.). Through grassroots mobilization, public awareness campaigns, and legislative lobbying endeavors, the coalition endeavors to secure additional resources and policy alterations that broaden access to quality afterschool programming statewide.

In conclusion, afterschool programs serve as catalysts for positive transformation, empowering youth, aiding families, and fortifying communities. Recognizing the pivotal role these programs fulfill is essential for nurturing the leaders of tomorrow and constructing a brighter future for all. By investing in afterschool programs, society invests in the potential of its youth, ensuring they are equipped with the skills, support, and opportunities requisite to thrive in an ever-evolving world.
​
References:
Afterschool Alliance, Edge Research, Burness, Anthony, K., Blyth, D., Chung, A.-M., Colman, A., Gwaltney, R., Hall, B., Sari, P., Lake, S., Little, P., Moroney, D., Roehlkepartain, E., Sneider, C., Warner, G., & Wills-Hale, L. (2020). America after 3PM Demand grows, opportunity shrinks. In America After 3PM [Report]. https://afterschoolalliance.org/documents/AA3PM-2020/AA3PM-National-Report.pdf

California Afterschool Advocacy Alliance (CA3). (n.d.). About Save After School — California Afterschool Advocacy Alliance (CA3). CA3. https://ca3advocacy.com/about

Council for a Strong America. (2019). From risk to opportunity: Afterschool programs keep kids safe. https://www.strongnation.org/articles/930-from-risk-to-opportunity-afterschool-programs-keep-kids-safe

Smink, J. & Expanded Learning & Afterschool Project. (2013). A proven solution for dropout prevention: expanded learning opportunities. In Expanding Minds and Opportunities: Leveraging the Power of Afterschool and Summer Learning for Student Success. https://www.expandinglearning.org/expandingminds/article/proven-solution-dropout-prevention-expanded-learning-opportunities

Vandell, D. L., Reisner, E. R., & Pierce, K. M. (2007). Outcomes Linked to High-Quality Afterschool Programs: Longitudinal findings from the Study of Promising Afterschool Programs. http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED499113.pdf