Thousands of Cities Participate in Lights On Afterschool Events
by Lane Russell
 For the second year in a row, the Empire State Building in New York City was lit up in yellow for the annual Lights On Afterschool celebration. On October 16, 2008, more than one million Americans attended over 7,500 Lights On Afterschool events held around the country. City leaders joined school district officials, afterschool providers, community organizations, parents and students to celebrate quality afterschool programs.
Lights On Afterschool is a national campaign sponsored by the Afterschool Alliance to raise awareness about the importance of afterschool programs. The 2008 Lights On Afterschool celebration marks the 10th anniversary of the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative, which has made afterschool programs available to children across the nation.
Municipal officials have consistently played an active role in sponsoring Lights On Afterschool events. These events highlight the benefits that afterschool activities have on communities, which include providing a safe place for children, reducing juvenile crime, supporting working parents who are unable to supervise their children after school, and engaging children and youth in productive, enriching educational activities.
The following sample of Lights On Afterschool celebrations highlights some of the local events and activities held in cities last October.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
A presentation of a proclamation signed by Mayor Kay Halloran was part of the Lights On celebration in Cedar Rapids. This event celebrated efforts to rebuild and recover afterschool opportunities affected by major floods earlier this year. Support for these recovery efforts was echoed around Iowa. Marion Mayor Paul Rehn, Grinnell Mayor Gordon Canfield and Iowa Gov. Chet Culver voiced their support by issuing declarations for Lights On Afterschool.
Lancaster, Pa.
Mayor J. Richard Gray addressed hundreds of kids, families, and city and school officials at a celebratory event.
Grand Rapids, Mich.
Mayor George Heartwell and the Grand Rapids City Commission unanimously endorsed a Lights On Afterschool resolution. Mayor Heartwell, State Sen. Mark Jansen and the local board of education president spoke in support of afterschool.
Morgantown, W.Va.
Mayor Ron Justice, Councilmember Jenny Selin and a member of the Greater Morgantown Youth Commission spoke about the importance of afterschool programs in the Greater Morgantown area. The event also highlighted the launch of a new website parents can use to search for afterschool opportunities.
Tampa, Fla.
Mayor Pam Iorio, Congresswoman Kathy Castor, Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant, local and state policymakers and more than 250 youth attended an event at Sam Rampello Downtown Partnership School.
Nashville, Tenn.
Mayor Karl Dean delivered the keynote address on the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County’s commitment to quality afterschool programming through its funding of the Project For Neighborhood Aftercare, the city-sponsored afterschool program.
Columbia, S.C.
The City of Columbia, Richland County School District One, South Carolina Afterschool Alliance and numerous community partners hosted a Lights On Afterschool legislative breakfast briefing. Richland County School District One Superintendent Dr. Percy Mack welcomed more than 300 participants, and Columbia Mayor Robert Coble addressed the group to raise awareness and urge support of afterschool programs from policymakers.
San Antonio
District Six Councilwoman Delicia Herrera joined other city leaders, school district officials and partnering afterschool providers in celebrating the importance of afterschool. In addition, 2008 Beijing Olympian and teacher Liza Hunter-Galvan spoke with children about the importance of setting goals and obtaining an education.
Hialeah, Fla.
Mayor Julio Robaina and members of the Hialeah City Council presented a proclamation declaring October 16, 2008, as Lights on Afterschool Day. “Quality afterschool programs keep kids safe, inspire them to learn and help working families,” said Mayor Robaina. “They are a sound investment that pays dividends in the future. The City of Hialeah must remain a leader in providing afterschool for all.”
The following additional cities issued proclamations in support of Lights On Afterschool: Aurora, Colo.; Cordele City, Ga.; Fairfield, Calif.; Gresham, Ore.; Hampton, Va.; Helena, Mont.; Imperial Beach, Calif.; Lander, Wyo.; Longview, Wash.; Newport News, Va.; Ottawa, Kan.; Santa Barbara, Calif.; Seattle; Spokane, Wash.; Tulsa, Okla.; and Vancouver, Wash.
The 10th annual Lights On Afterschool celebration will be held October 22, 2009.
Details: To learn more about Lights On Afterschool, visit www.afterschoolalliance.org. For more information on NLC’s afterschool initiatives, visit www.nlc.org/iyef or contact Bela Shah at (202) 626-3057 or shah@nlc.org, or Lane Russell at (202) 626-3008 or russell@nlc.org.
Photo caption: From left, City of San Antonio Department of Community Initiatives Director Dennis Campa, Education Services Department Senior Director Al Clark, 2008 Beijing Summer Olympian and teacher Liza Hunter-Galvan, and District 6 San Antonio City Councilwoman Delicia Herrera take part in a Lights on Afterschool event in San Antonio.
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