Sign this petition to let schools and leaders know families need afterschool programs.

This is Afterschool

Afterschool and summer learning programs are essential to America’s COVID-19 recovery plans. These programs are proven to get students excited about learning, keep them engaged, help them gain confidence and build healthy relationships. For kids who need new learning opportunities and parents who are returning to work, these programs are more important than ever.

Sign this petition to let schools and leaders know families need afterschool programs.

Afterschool is stepping up to help kids catch up, keep up, and emerge from this crisis strong, resilient, and hopeful.

Keeping kids safe

The YMCA of Silicon Valley transitioned facilities into safe pop-up day camps where parents can drop off their children while they go to their jobs.

Delivering food to families

Working with local schools and partners, ourBRIDGE in Charlotte, NC continues to support its families by distributing meals and learning activity kits and hosting regular check ins.

Helping working parents

“I wouldn’t be able to work without afterschool programs. It’s peace of mind knowing my kids are in a good place, getting fed a nutritious meal, having fun. Losing these programs would be devastating to our community.”

— Pamela Shope, Mother of two boys who attend afterschool programs in West Virginia

Supporting essential workers

“Not to be overly dramatic, but it’s life-saving to have this program…This is making it possible for us to do our jobs.” – Erin LaRose, parent who co-leads the COVID-19 Contact Investigation Team in the Vermont Department of Health’s Epidemiology Heath Survey Division and depends on the MAUSD Essential Person’s Childcare Center in Bristol, Vermont, as told to Addison Independent, April 2020

Engaging kids in learning

"I love the ACE program because it’s helped me build my character and showcase my creativity. They never shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic and proactively started classes online, allowing me and my peers to work safely from home and succeed together." - Amador Martinez, Student, Grulla High School, Starr County, TX

Making masks and feeding kids

Read about how the Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg, WV is responding to COVID-19.

Afterschool programs help kids learn and grow

Afterschool is proven to help kids:

Get excited about learning
Make better decisions and learn healthy habits
Gain workforce skills

After going to afterschool programs:

69%
of students improve their homework completion and class participation.
62%
of students improve their behavior in class.
1 in 2
students improve their math and reading grades.

Take Action Now

Staggered school schedules and remote learning create serious challenges for parents who must manage kids’ online learning from home while juggling work and family responsibilities.

Afterschool programs stand ready to partner with schools to ensure that kids have a safe place to learn every day and parents are able to work.

Urge your school to make afterschool programs part of their reopening plans. Together we can get our kids back to learning and parents back to work!

Email Your Principal

Donate Directly

Sign this petition to let schools and leaders know families need afterschool programs.