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Join the Afterschool Alliance and afterschool
programs across the country in rallying for afterschool
programs. On October 18, more than 7,500 communities,
and 1 million Americans, will celebrate Lights On Afterschool!
Together, we will demonstrate how afterschool programs
keep kids safe, help working families and inspire learning.
Planning Your Event
Lights On Afterschool! events, like afterschool programs, come in all shapes and sizes. Just create a rally that your community can support.
- Get parents, community leaders, volunteers, kids, members of the press and others excited about afterschool.
- Showcase the achievements of your program and your students. Highlight your local partners and invite them to participate.
- Convey your message about afterschool - celebrate your afterschool accomplishments, and call for support to ensure that afterschool programs in your community and across the country thrive. Every child should have access to afterschool!
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Helpful Tips:
Be creative! Grab attention with something out of the ordinary.
Involve as many participants in planning as possible, especially your students. Remember that people will support something they helped create.
Have a lively emcee - consider asking a local TV or radio host.
Give away goodies, like fun snacks with afterschool slogans attached.
Use signs and posters before and during the rally to attract and keep attention.
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Think about who can best deliver your afterschool
message.
For example:
- Youth can issue a challenge to the community to provide afterschool for all youth.
- Parents can speak about their need for safe, stimulating programs for their kids while they work.
- Program staff can describe the positive changes they have witnessed among youth.
- Youth can give testimonials to the impact afterschool has had on their lives.
- Policy makers or community leaders can be guest speakers about the status of afterschool.
- Community partners can illustrate how afterschool serves as a focal point in the community.
- Contests, performances, artwork, essays, and demonstrations can emphasize the message.
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