Get Involved
Why should I get involved with afterschool?
Afterschool and summer enrichment programs reinforce what students learn in school and provide extra support to students who are struggling or have disabilities. Programs provide more time for deeper learning, creative spaces for hands-on projects, and opportunities for students of all ages to explore careers.
The effects of no support for OST
Interruption in services, for even just one summer, has long-term, historic ramifications.
- Growing Distrust in an ‘Equitable’ System: The perception becomes a reality when one time funding to prioritize communities of color and youth with disabilities gets swept to the wayside when the state faces hard choices.
- Dismantling of Youth Development Workforce: Without funding to maintain or hire necessary staff, programs will be forced to lay off trained, valuable staff and unable to develop the support necessary for positive youth development that happens outside of the school day.
- Decreased Youth Development: From the programs who provide youth jobs to the spaces where youth are inspired to try something new, summer is key in engaging and developing young people into thriving members of our community.
- Destabilization for Disengaged Youth: As youth are continuing to face dramatic mental health turmoil across the state, we must continue to support positive relationships and experiences that will combat the multiple years of pandemic trauma.
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