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Afterschool Advocate Page 1 Volume 11, Issue 6, May 26, 2010 JUST ONE IN FOUR KIDS IN U.S. income students,” said Afterschool Alliance ATTEND SUMMER LEARNING Executive Director Jodi Grant. “When we PROGRAMS leave children unsupervised during the summer, we miss critical opportunities to improve their academic achievement and we For millions of children in America, when take away crucial supports like nutritious schools close for the summer, safe and meals and snacks. By not creating and enriching learning environments are out of funding enough summer learning programs, reach, replaced by boredom, lost opportunities we are missing the chance to engage and and risk. New analysis of data from the educate millions of students during the America After 3PM study measures the extent summer, and instead are leaving them of this problem, concluding that three- unsupervised and at risk.” quarters of America’s schoolchildren do not Grant urged lawmakers to fund 21st participate in summer learning programs – Century Community Learning Centers, which safe, structured programs that provide a support afterschool and summer programs. variety of activities designed to encourage Other findings from the new study: learning and development in the summer months. Yet, 56 percent of kids (an estimated Thirty-five percent of African-American, 24 million) who are not participating in 29 percent of Hispanic and 27 percent of summer learning programs would likely low-income children attended summer enroll in a program, based on parent interest. learning programs in 2008, compared to America After 3PM is a survey of nearly the national average of 25 percent. 30,000 households across the United States, Yet more than three in four African- commissioned by the Afterschool Alliance American kids (77 percent) and at least and JCPenney Afterschool in 2009. The two in three Hispanic (70 percent) and summer learning report, released this week, is low-income (67 percent) kids would likely sponsored by The Wallace Foundation. It enroll in a summer learning program, finds that 43 percent of the estimated 14.3 based on parent interest. million children who attend summer learning Eight in ten parents (83 percent) support programs qualify for free or reduced price public funding for summer learning lunches. But the unmet demand also is great programs. for low-income children, many of whom are unsupervised during the summer months. Fully 95 percent of African-American, 91 Nearly half of kids whose parents say they are percent of Hispanic and 90 percent of interested in enrolling them in summer low-income parents support public learning programs (46 percent) qualify for funding for summer learning programs. free or reduced price lunches. “These findings are sobering, especially “If we are to overcome the achievement because we know that inequities in summer gap, we must find ways to increase learning are a major contributor to the opportunities for high-quality summer achievement gap between high- and low- learning and encourage more children to Summer continued on page ten… Afterschool Advocate Page 2 OUTREACH How to Become an Advocate and Media Superstar for Afterschool CEO of the YMCA of the Northwoods in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, Chris Francis did a lot for afterschool in just one week. He flew to Washington, D.C., testified before Congress, and generated a media blitz in his hometown, all focused on the need for more afterschool funding. How did he do it? Becoming an Advocate “It was a great experience,” said Francis, an Afterschool Ambassador for the Afterschool Alliance, about testifying before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. “I feel like a lot was accomplished in that short four minutes [the time allotted for each witness’ testimony]. Others need to do as much as they can to get the afterschool message out.” In testimony before the powerful Appropriations Subcommittee, Francis discussed the academic benefits of afterschool. His programs are closely aligned with the school day, and staff members keep close tabs on each child’s development. More than 100 students regularly attend both of Francis’ YMCA programs. He emphasized how many more children his program would be able to serve if federal funding for afterschool were increased. Speaking to legislators and policy makers matters a great deal, Francis said. “It matters that they remember you when they go to make important decisions affecting your community. And they remember you when they get to tour your program and meet your kids.” Reaching the Media Reporters “started calling me within 30 seconds of the press release going out,” Francis said of his media blitz. “The radio called right away. The TV came out and ran three different stories on our program, and one was the lead story.” Francis was also featured in the local newspaper. He credits the quick response with the relationships he has built over the years. His involvement with other civic organizations puts him in regular contact with a news director at a local television station, as well as the station manager. “It only takes having one contact with the station. They’re always looking for news stories, and this one was a big deal for our town” Francis said. Testifying before Congress is not the only way to reach media, according to Francis. Strong evaluation data about a program’s impact, and a local afterschool event can sometimes be enough. Francis’ organization has a media office with the ability to create press releases, but he recommends the Afterschool Alliance’s media toolkit for those who do not. “If writing press releases isn’t your specialty, start with the resources from the Afterschool Alliance. The press kits can really help you get started,” he said. Afterschool for All You can help make afterschool for all a priority in your community and in communities nationwide by joining the Afterschool for All campaign. Already more than 25,000 concerned individuals and organizations have signed on to the campaign in support of afterschool programs and the families they serve. It takes only a minute to add your name to the national list of partners. Sign up today. Visit the Afterschool for All website to see which new partners have signed up in your state. Contact Marie Coichy-Dauphin, Project Manager, Afterschool for All at [email protected] or at 646-943- 8662 with any questions or comments. Afterschool Advocate Page 3 FUNDING NEWS The Afterschool Alliance’s website has resources for afterschool providers, including tips for initiating relationships with funders and businesses, and for identifying funding opportunities. To learn more, click here. Remember to check here to find out how afterschool programs may be able to tap into economic recovery funds. GRANTS/AWARDS AVAILABLE Local Hero Award Bank of America’s Neighborhood Excellence Initiative honors outstanding individuals who are shaping the communities in which they live through the Local Heroes award. Each Local Hero is able to direct a $5,000 grant donation from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to an eligible nonprofit of their choice, and is recognized at a public ceremony celebrating their achievements. The application deadline is June 1. For more information, and to apply, click here. Afterschool Advocate Page 4 MAYORS SPEAK OUT ON Conference of Mayors, and was spearheaded 21stCCLC by Providence, Rhode Island Mayor and Afterschool Alliance Board Member David From Maui to Los Angeles to Louisville Cicilline. to Little Rock and beyond, more than 40 mayors from across the country sent a letter to the U.S. Senate on May 11th pressing for increased support for before-school, ILLINOIS LEGISLATION afterschool and summer learning programs. GUARANTEES ACCESS TO The letter was addressed to Senators Tom AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM FOR Harkin (D-IA) and Michael Enzi (R-WY), chairman and ranking member of the Senate ALL KIDS Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Pending the stroke of the governor’s pen, “We urge you to continue and expand the universal access to afterschool programs will Committee’s strong bi-partisan support for be state law in Illinois. The Illinois before-school, afterschool and summer Afterschool Youth Development Program Act learning programs through 21st Century (SB 3543), which passed with overwhelming Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC),” majorities in the state legislature, sets the the letter says. “As mayors working in cities stage to give every child in the state access to all over the nation, we understand how critical an afterschool program. It also creates a this program is to providing support for more Youth Development Council, which will than 1 million children in all 50 states and the survey all state-funded afterschool programs District of Columbia. A wealth of research and establish standards for best practices and and data demonstrates that these programs program evaluation. help children academically, socially and “It’s the state coming out and saying: ‘We behaviorally.” know this is important,’” Kelley Pasatta, “Communities like ours rely on 21st campaign manager for Afterschool for CCLC as an essential source of afterschool Children and Teens Now (ACT Now!) told program funding that leverages a wide array the Chicago Tribune. ACT Now! and the of funding – local, state and private – as well Illinois After-school Alliance helped lead the as partners, including faith-based effort to pass the legislation. organizations, nonprofits, businesses, Supporters and legislators will now turn educational organizations and volunteers… their attention to funding these programs, Now is the time to expand access for more of either from state sources or private donors. “I our most at-risk students, not divert much know that the state’s budget is horrendous needed afterschool funding to create new right now,” Senator Toi Hutchinson (D- programs that will result in even more Olympia Fields), lead sponsor of the bill, said.

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