Elected officials show their support at Lights On Afterschool events nationwide

Lights On Afterschool season is coming to an end, but we have one more great recap that we wanted to share. In addition to the 49 governors that recognized Lights On Afterschool, a number of elected officials—from school board members, to mayors, to state representatives, to governors and Members of Congress—attended Lights On Afterschool celebrations to show their support for the young people who make afterschool programs successful.

• At the Alaska Afterschool Network’s first statewide Lights On Afterschool celebration, held at the Anchorage Museum, Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Don Young addressed more than 90 children from six different programs. The Congressman encouraged increased funding for the 21^st Century Community Learning Centers (21^st CCLC) initiative and voiced his strong support for the Summer Meals Act.  Sen. Murkowski, who has led the effort to strengthen 21^st CCLC in the Senate through co-sponsorship of S. 326 with Sen. Boxer (D-Calif.), congratulated the young people, parents and program staff on the great progress that has been made in afterschool program in the state.

• At Middle Fork Elementary School in Walkertown, N.C., Rep. Virginia Foxx, who served on the House Education and Workforce Committee, read to students as part of a Lights On Afterschool Reading Night event held by the school in conjunction with AlphaBest After School program. 
• Propel McKeesport and Propel Homestead charter schools in the Pittsburgh area celebrated Lights On Afterschool along with community partner organizations like YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh and AmeriCorps KEYS. State Sen. James Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) joined in the celebration by talking to parents and young people and touring the activities.
• At the Niles Teen Center near Naperville, Ill., Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon joined local officials and hundreds of students in celebrating the impact of afterschool programs: “Congratulations to all of you for supporting what’s really important to the community, what’s really important for learning: the afterschool programs,” she said. “I support what you’ve done and urge you to keep doing it.”  

Afterschool advocates can find a number of tools on our website to help bring the message of afterschool programs to elected officials.