Weekly Media Roundup: September 16, 2026

Keeping Afterschool Special: Reducing Childcare Burdens Opens Possibilities for Students, The Journal Gazette (Indiana)

In a recent guest column for the Journal Gazette, Wellspring Interfaith Social Services CEO Ermina Mustedanagic sounds the alarm on unmet demand afterschool programs in her community, noting this gap leaves many children unsupervised and at-risk when the school day ends. Mustedanagic shares how afterschool programs such as Wellspring’s enable parents to remain in the workforce while helping children discover their interests and reach their full potential. “So the next time you hear the school bell ring, think about what happens afterward. For some children, it is the beginning of an afternoon filled with learning, friendships, meals, mentoring, and opportunity. For others, it means being home alone or taking on responsibilities far beyond their years. As a community, we have the ability to help determine which of those stories becomes the norm,” Mustedanagic writes.

Curiosity at ‘WORX’ — Middle Schoolers Get a Hands-On Head Start on Their Futures, EdNC (North Carolina)

This summer, middle school students participating in Camp Grier’s WORX Project summer programs got hands-on exposure to career pathways in areas such as construction, culinary arts, agriculture, environmental sciences and manufacturing while also enjoying sports, hikes and arts and crafts. “There’s a lot of interest from the industry to connect with students, but doing so in a classroom can be kind of sterile,” Executive Director Jason McDougald told EdNC. “At camp, employers are really excited to come out and share what they do with young people and everyone is more open to connecting. It’s less intimidating.” Since 2023, the free summer program has served more than 700 students.

Detroit City Officials Announce Funding to Expand After-School Program, CBS News Detroit (Michigan)

Thanks to a $2.2 million city investment championed by Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, the Get On And Learn (GOAL) Line program will open free afterschool programs at four recreation centers and three libraries this school year, serving up to 1,000 additional students. “This is about attacking the challenges that exist based on socioeconomics and the challenges that the district faces in not being able to offer this directly through our school system,” Detroit Public Schools Community District Superintendent Nikolai Vitti told CBS News Detroit. GOAL Line will be available in all seven City Council districts for the first time but even with the additional funding, waitlists still remain.

Afterschool Soccer Program Improves Skills on Field and in Classroom, Knox News (Tennessee)

Students in the Ujima afterschool program in East Knoxville, Tennessee, play soccer, develop leadership skills, get support with academics and mental health, connect with mentors, and more. Founder Jonathan Haskell created the program to make soccer more accessible to youth in his community. Named for a Swahili word for collective work and responsibility, the organization also provides free snacks, equipment, and transportation. "These kids know that growing up in this neighborhood is hard. They hear what the city says about them, and so we know that we've got to have each other's backs if we're going to be successful. We've got to support one another," Haskell told Knox News. "We want Ujima to be a place of safety and belonging."