Lights On Afterschool

Lights On Afterschool is a national event spotlighting the important work being done across the country during out-of-school time. The Afterschool Alliance launched this event in the year 2000 and this year, more than 8,000 events took place nationwide on October 28 in celebration of high-quality programs that provide academic support, career exploration, sports & recreation, leadership opportunities and healthy meals and snacks.

According to the Afterschool Alliance, one out of five youth across America are alone and unsupervised after the school day ends. This is when juvenile crime peaks, but after school programming turns this risk into an opportunity where youth can spend time supervised in a safe environment with caring adults.

Some facts on the impact of attending high-quality out-of-school time from the Afterschool Alliance:

• 69% of students improve their homework and class participation
• 62% of students improve their classroom behavior
• 50% of students improve their reading and math grades

More than 19.4 million youth do not have access to a high-quality after school program.  For each that does attend one, two more young people would attend if a program were available.

On Oct. 28, Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania celebrated Lights On Afterschool in our region with different events and activities.  Here is a roundup of the fun:

Sto-Rox Clubhouse

The Sto-Rox Clubhouse offered a combined Halloween and Lights On Afterschool celebration with pumpkin painting, cookie decorating, and a scavenger hunt.  Students’ STEM creations and artwork and photos from activities were on display.

Georgian Place Clubhouse

In Somerset, the Georgian Place Clubhouse displayed “bright” ideas and what youth want to be when they grow up. This event was planned in partnership with the annual Kiwanis Halloween celebration.

Scott Primary Clubhouse

The Scott Primary Clubhouse also combined Lights On Afterschool and a Halloween Party. Families were invited for mini pumpkin painting, Halloween Bingo, and refreshments. Upcoming program offerings were on display.

Estelle S. Campbell Clubhouse

The Estelle S. Campbell Clubhouse in Lawrenceville organized an innovative t-shirt design contest. Youth tie-dyed t-shirts and then learned about e-textiles (clothing that incorporates electronics such as lights into the fabric) so they could design a “Lights On at BGCWPA” t-shirt.

Northern Area Clubhouse 

The Northern Area Clubhouse in Millvale hosted a Family Game Night to celebrate Lights on Afterschool. This event welcomed families already enrolled in BGCWPA programs as well as other families in the community.

Carnegie Clubhouse

The Lights On Afterschool event for the Carnegie Clubhouse was themed “be the light” with a number of events and activities scheduled throughout the day. To continue with the “light” theme, staff plan to dress up for Halloween the following day as characters from Star Wars, light sabers and all.

Career Works 

Our Workforce Development Academy, Career Works in McKeesport celebrated Lights On Afterschool by handing out Halloween goodie-bags to all library patrons.

Check out our many after school program opportunities throughout the region.