DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Afterschool Alliance, in partnership with afterschool programs across the state, will join more than 8,000 communities across the U.S. in recognizing the 25th annual Lights On Afterschool Day on Thursday, Oct. 24.
The Perry PACES program celebrated Lights on After School for the 25th time on Wednesday, Oct. 16 and Thursday, Oct. 17.
Organizers said the annual event “illuminates the positive role after-school programs play in the lives of children, families and communities,” .
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds acknowledged this important work, proclaiming Oct. 24, 2024, as “Lights On Afterschool Day.” More than 50 communities across Iowa will be hosting events to showcase their programs and raise awareness about the need for more afterschool resources.
Figures indicate that today in the U.S., for every child in an afterschool program, four more are waiting to get in. Some 24.7 million U.S. children not in an afterschool program would be enrolled if a program were available to them.
“Students who participate in the afterschool programs benefit in so many ways,” said Heidi Brown, director of the Iowa Afterschool Alliance. “They explore new ways to connect with their community and find ways to belong beyond the academic day. They grow academically, behaviorally, and socially. Afterschool programs support the whole family, giving kids a safe place to go while parents work, and including excellent opportunities for parents to become involved in their children’s education.”
Launched in October 2000, the annual Lights On Afterschool event has become a hallmark of the afterschool movement and generates media coverage across the country each year.
The Afterschool Alliance, responsible for creating the Lights On Afterschool campaign, is a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization working to ensure that all children and youth have access to quality afterschool programs.
For more information and for a complete list of events in Iowa, visit the Lights On Afterschool website.
