afterschool.now
vol. 3 no. 4
Dec. 30, 2005

IN THIS ISSUE:

Impossible Choices

Project 2010

Afterschool news from around the country:

National
California
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Massachusetts
Mississippi
New York
Ohio

contact us:
info@afterschoolalliance.org
visit our site:
afterschool alliance


Welcome to afterschool.now. The following email alert is produced by the Afterschool Alliance. It is designed to give friends and allies the latest news and information on afterschool policy developments, events and activities. We welcome your feedback. Please send comments, suggestions or new information to info@afterschoolalliance.org.
TOP STORIES
26 STATES COULD NOT SUPPORT NEW AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS IN '05 New research into state grant-making under the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative reveals that half the states were not able to make any new grants to afterschool programs in 2005. The research was conducted by the Afterschool Alliance. The grant-making standstill is the direct result of the federal government's failure to realize the vision of No Child Left Behind, concludes Impossible Choices: How States are Addressing the Federal Failure to Fully Fund Afterschool Programs. Because Congress and the President did not provide the increased funding promised in No Child Left Behind to support growth in afterschool programs, 26 states could not fund any new afterschool programs this year. States committed to multi-year grants and were left with only enough money to fund their existing grantees when the increases authorized by No Child Left Behind did not materialize, the study finds. "The states expected that Congress and the President would live up to the funding commitments they made in the No Child Left Behind Act, and planned accordingly," said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant. "But since funding for afterschool has been frozen, many states are finding that their multi-year grants consume their entire 21st Century Community Learning Centers budget. As a result, they are unable to fund new programs. What that means is simple but sad: No new afterschool programs for the millions of kids and families who need them." The 26 states that made no new grants in 2005 are: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Wyoming. Four other states - Alabama, Kentucky, North Dakota and Utah - provided funds to new grantees in 2005, but only by reducing awards to existing grantees in the later years of their grants. The result is no net new slots in afterschool programs for students in these states. "We know lawmakers face difficult choices," Grant added, "but investing in our children pays dividends for generations. We look forward to working with the Administration and Congress to increase afterschool funding next year." The report is available on the web at www.afterschoolalliance.org/Impossible_choices.cfm SAVE THE DATES The Afterschool Alliance has announced that the Afterschool for All Challenge, once again featuring a Breakfast of Champions, will be held on May 23 and May 24, 2006 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Lights On Afterschool will be on October 12 next year. Visit www.afterschoolalliance.org for more information on both events. ASK THE PRESIDENT TO INCREASE AFTERSCHOOL FUNDING The White House is preparing its budget proposal for FY 2007, to be released in early February. None of the Administration's five budgets to date has included an increase in 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding, and afterschool is falling farther behind its authorized funding levels - $2.5 billion for FY 2007. Contact the President to urge an increase in funding for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative in FY 2007. To contact the White House, visit http://capwiz.com/afterschool/issues/, and click on the link to "Tell the President to Increase Funding for 21st Century Programs." LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL 2005 Afterschool students, parents, staff and supporters made 2005 the most successful year ever for Lights On Afterschool, with more than 8,000 events around the country and at military bases around the world. A million people joined the diverse rallies for afterschool, with thousands of mayors, school board officials, athletes, community and business leaders, and others expressing support for afterschool programs. Forty-eight governors declared October 20 Lights On Afterschool Day 2005. The JCPenney Afterschool Fund was the National Presenting Sponsor of Lights On again this year. For the first time ever, this year's Lights On Afterschool included an afterschool briefing at the House of Representatives, where youth from around the country talked to Members of Congress about the many ways that afterschool programs have improved their lives, raised their grades and helped their families. It was followed by a reception at the U.S. Capitol. Representatives Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ileana Ros Lehtinen (R-FL), Shelley Berkley (D-NV), Danny Davis (D-IL), Jim Gerlach (R-PA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Bobby Jindal (R-LA), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Dale Kildee (D-MI) and Ralph Regula (R-OH), and Senators John Ensign (R-NV), Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Harry Reid (D-NV) attended the Lights On events or met with the students. The afterschool briefing in the House of Representatives was emceed by actor and Afterschool Alliance spokesman Kevin Sorbo, and featured JCPenney Afterschool Fund Board Chairman Wynn Watkins, and former Washington Redskins star and Good Samaritan program founder Charles Mann. Congressional support for Lights On didn't end with the Capitol Hill events. This year, both the House of Representatives and the Senate passed resolutions supporting the goals and ideals of Lights On Afterschool. To read more about 2005 Lights On Afterschool events and see photos, go to www.afterschoolalliance.org/lights_on/index.cfm. INSPIRED BY AFTERSCHOOL The Afterschool Alliance recently honored six students for writing essays about how afterschool programs have improved their lives. The contest attracted entries from students in afterschool programs around the nation. The Alliance named two winners, along with four honorable mentions. The Grade Five to Eight winner was Isaiah Charles Buckanaga of Cass Lake, Minnesota, an eighth-grader in the Boys & Girls Club of the Leech Lake Area's afterschool program. The Grade Nine to Twelve winner was Jermaine Laron Wilson, a graduating senior in the Good Samaritan Foundation's Washington, D.C. afterschool program. The two winners received $1,500 savings bonds, as well as leather-bound writing journals and pen sets, to encourage them to continue writing throughout their lives. Their afterschool programs each received a soda party kit from R. Torre & Company, the makers of Torani syrup, so that they can celebrate their classmates' achievements. The honorable mentions hailed from New York, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Rhode Island. SIX NEW STATE NETWORKS FUNDED The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and the Afterschool Technical Assistance Collaborative announced in November that networks from Arkansas, Florida, Maine, Oklahoma, Oregon and Wisconsin have been funded, bringing the total number of funded state networks to 31. State afterschool networks work to create a sustainable structure of statewide, regional and local partnerships, particularly school-community partnerships, focused on supporting policy development at all levels; support the development and growth of statewide policies that will secure the resources that are needed to sustain new and existing afterschool programs; and support statewide systems to ensure that programs are of high quality. More information is available at www.statewideafterschoolnetworks.net. AFTERSCHOOL BOOSTS ACHIEVEMENT, EXPECTATION OF SUCCESS A new afterschool evaluation from researchers at Yale and New York University (NYU) concludes that students in afterschool programs, particularly those who were "highly engaged" in their programs, had significantly higher reading achievement and expectations of academic success than other students. This first installment, in the July/August 2005 issue of Child Development, found that, "the reading achievement of children in ASP [afterschool program] care was significantly higher than of those in each of the three alternative care arrangements. Expectancy of success was also significantly higher for children in ASP care compared with children in other adult/non-adult care." The Child Development article and other material about the study is available at Professor Joseph Mahoney's website, at http://pantheon.yale.edu/~jlm79/. TORANI SERVES IT UP FOR AFTERSCHOOL Artwork created by two talented students is on display in coffeehouses and kitchens throughout the country, promoting flavorful beverages while spreading the word about afterschool. Torani Peppermint and Raspberry syrups sport new, limited-edition labels designed by 13-year-old Daniel Saldana of Fort Worth, Texas and 10-year-old Aaron Martinez of Tucson, Arizona. Their artwork was selected from hundreds of entries submitted by afterschool students around the country in a contest to design the new labels. Torani donated five percent of the products' sales from August through December to the Afterschool Alliance. "For 80 years Torani has been adding color and creativity to life," said Lisa Lucheta, Torani principal and family-owner. "The Afterschool Alliance is committed to bringing colorful experiences to children, which is why they are a perfect partner for Torani. We are proud to support afterschool programs." Torani hosted soda and pizza parties for both boys at their afterschool programs, and school boards in both cities honored the winning students. The company presented them with framed limited edition prints of their labels, and donated art supplies to their afterschool programs. PROJECT 2010 Afterschool for All: Project 2010 has redesigned its website, at www.afterschool2010.org. The new site allows prospective partners to sign on through a web-based sign-on form, while providing existing partners with new tools that include: A downloadable version of the recently redesigned Project 2010 brochure and afterschool talking points. A sample Project 2010 newsletter article for inclusion in local publications. A sample Project 2010 email invitation. Sector specific sample Project 2010 invitation letters. Check out the new website, sign on as a partner, or invite your friends and colleagues to do so at: www.afterschool2010.org. As the Project grows, voices for afterschool grow stronger.

AFTERSCHOOL NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY


National - Four in ten young people have doubts about whether they will be able to realize the American Dream because they are stressed, concerned about their personal safety and confused about what choices to make to protect their health and well being, according to a survey from America's Promise. Harris Interactive surveyed 1,278 people ages ten to 17 for the "Voices Study," which focused on the resources children feel they need in their lives. Urban, suburban and rural children were polled, and the majority said they believe in the American dream but many expressed doubt that they will be able to achieve it.
	Just Kids Inc. supported the "Voices Study," which is available online at: www.americaspromise.org
California - Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently signed Senate Bill 854 into law. It allows before- and afterschool programs to utilize a more dependable flow of federal funding without being penalized for delays in the distribution of federal funds. "I think the key point is that every afterschool program funded by 21st Century money can rely on getting the money on a timely basis and not be at risk of those funds being returned to the feds," Lou Fernandez, Director of HEART afterschool programs told the Visalia Times-Delta. The bill also increases the per pupil allocation from $5 per student to $7.50 per student per afterschool program.
Florida - The afterschool program run by Firewall Ministries at the Palma Nova mobile home park in Davie not only helps immigrant children and parents, but in the wake of Hurricane Wilma has become more of a community fixture. Previously run as a volunteer effort, after noting its impact on the community, the park owner donated doublewide equipment to house the program and the city council increased funding. Pastor Andy Fernandez, who founded the project, coordinated community outreach and hurricane relief assistance for the families of Palma Nova. "It's a very good project," Vice Mayor Lisa Hubert told the Sun Sentinel. "They're doing a great job with the kids."
Georgia - Children in the First Tee of East Lake afterschool program have been learning to play golf at the Charlie Yates Golf Course in Atlanta. Most of the students are from the Charles R. Drew Charter School, located across the street from the golf course. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the students learn not only the physical challenges of golf, but also about sportsmanship and honesty. They also play golf with business executives from all over Atlanta while networking about job possibilities.
Illinois - Students from After School Matters learned to cultivate and harvest organic vegetables, flowers and herbs in Chicago's Grant Park, creating the park's first organic garden. The students will sell the produce at community farmers' markets, using the proceeds to support agricultural projects and donate some to homeless shelters and food kitchens. Officials told the Chicago Tribune that farming gives students mental and physical challenges, in addition to teaching the value of hard work. Sponsored by the city of Chicago, After School Matters collaborated on the project with the Chicago Park District and Growing Power.


Massachusetts - Students in the Citizen Schools afterschool program in Dorchester are learning art and activism. The Boston Globe reports that students are learning photography afterschool and taking pictures of their neighborhoods. The best of these photographs become postcards, which the children mail to politicians and community leaders with the phrase, "this is MY Boston." Gretchen Schneider, a Boston architect who created the program said, "I was thinking about the huge discrepancies of the postcard pictures of Faneuil Hall and Cheers Bar and that's great, but there's so much more to Boston than that. [The teens] really are seeing their Boston. I hope people get a sense of that."
Mississippi - Parents in Jackson, Long Beach, and Harrison counties are seeking alternate afterschool care for their children after Knowledge Learning Corp., parent company of EdSolutions Inc., announced it would stop managing the programs because of post-Hurricane Katrina losses. Company officials cite damage to facilities and materials, and fewer children as reason for the closures. According to the Biloxi Sun Herald, district officials and parents were notified of this change only days before it was to take effect. District officials have since made arrangements with other area providers that are able to take some additional students, including the YMCA and Alpha Best. The Associated Press reports that more than 1,000 children and parents were affected by the closures, effective December 16.
New York - The Madison Square Boys and Girls Club, which provides afterschool care to 6,500 children in New York City, benefited recently from a new public service partnership. According to the Christian Science Monitor, the You've Got 2 Give 2 Get program helped the Club with gardening and playground renovations. It was but one project of the new program, which rewards volunteering with free concert tickets. You've Got 2 Give 2 Get is supported by RockCorps and its sponsor, Boost Mobile. More than 5,000 youth have volunteered for 20,000 hours at 78 projects, and were treated to a concert at Radio City Music Hall.
	For more information visit: www.rockcorps.org
Ohio - According to the Lancaster Eagle Gazette, program directors at the Bremen Branch Library in Bremen have cleverly disguised afterschool science lessons in "Grossology," a program designed to appeal to children ages eight to twelve. The program teaches children science facts about the human body by incorporating hands-on experiments such as making fake mucous. Students are attracted by the promise of "gross" topics, and then retain the scientific facts they learn.

The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of afterschool programs and advocating for quality, affordable programs for all children. It is supported by a group of public, private and nonprofit organizations that share the Alliance's vision of ensuring that all children have access to afterschool programs by 2010. Learn more about the Afterschool Alliance by visiting www.afterschoolalliance.org. To unsubscribe from this mailing, please click here and write "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the subject heading.

Afterschool Alliance | 1616 H Street NW | Washington, DC 20006
Phone: (202) 296-9378 | info@afterschoolalliance.org