Lend a Hand: Learn the Facts

• In communities today, 11.3 million children take care of themselves after the school day ends.

• 10.2 million children are in afterschool programs—but the parents of another 19.4 million children say their children would participate in afterschool if a program were available.

• Studies show that children in afterschool programs do better in school, stay in school longer and have greater expectations for the future.

• On school days, the hours between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. are the peak hours for juvenile crime and experimentation with drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and sex.

• Teens who do not participate in afterschool programs are nearly three times more likely to skip classes than teens who do participate. They are also three times more likely to use marijuana or other drugs, and they are more likely to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes and engage in sexual activity.

• Parents with children in afterschool programs are less stressed, have fewer unscheduled absences and are more productive at work.

Dowload our Afterschool Action Booklet for an overview of the afterschool issue, what to look for in an afterschool program, and how you can help.

Afterschool Action Booklet (English)

Afterschool Action Booklet (Spanish)