Lights On Afterschool in Pennsylvania

On October 20, 2005, hundreds of thousands of children across America joined their parents, educators, and community and business leaders in the nation's largest rally in support of the afterschool programs that keep kids safe, improve academic achievement and help working families. Over 7,000 events were held around the country as part of the sixth annual Lights On Afterschool.

To celebrate Lights On Afterschool, the Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network hosted an Afterschool Champion Luncheon on October 19, 2005. Advocates, parents, youth, faith-based leaders, policy makers from key State agencies, and business leaders from across the state came together to highlight the importance of afterschool programs in their communities. Attendees also had an opportunity to participate in Meet Your Legislators for Afterschool.

Nationally, Lights On Afterschool was sponsored by the Afterschool Alliance, with support from National Presenting Sponsor the JCPenney Afterschool Fund. Lights On Afterschool emphasized the need to save our afterschool programs from budget cuts, thus keeping the lights on and the doors open after school. Forty-four governors, as well as hundreds of mayors, city councils and school boards issued proclamations declaring October 20 Lights On Afterschool Day.

Locally, Pennsylvania was home to nearly a hundred events marking the importance of afterschool programs. Governor, Edward G. Rendell, issued a proclamation from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania which was presented at the Afterschool Champion Luncheon by Mary Ramirez, Director, Bureau of Community & Student Services, Pennsylvania Department of Education.

For more information about the Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network contact Kisha Bird at 717-763-1661ext. 210.

For background on Lights On Afterschool and the Afterschool Alliance, please visit www.afterschoolalliance.org.