RALEIGH, NC (October 7, 2024)– The North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs will host a Lights On Afterschool reception on October 24 at the North Carolina Executive Mansion in Raleigh as part of the national Lights On Afterschool campaign. The annual nationwide campaign celebrates afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. At the reception, NC CAP will recognize Afterschool Champions for their commitment to enriching out-of-school time programming and their valuable contributions to the out-of-school time landscape in North Carolina. This year’s awardees are listed below.
Emerging Afterschool Champion Award for Early Career Afterschool Professionals:
Sara Jarrell, Director of the Worx Project at Camp Grier in Buncombe County
Distinguished Afterschool Champion Award for Mid-Career Afterschool Professionals:
Pam Hyatt, Director of the Dream Center of Randolph County
Lifetime Afterschool Champion Award for Lifelong Afterschool Professionals:
Hugh McLean, Vice President of Operations, Boys & Girls Clubs serving Wake County
Afterschool Catalyst Award for Community Changemakers:
The Roanoke Valley Afterschool Collaborative (led by Shannon McAllister of the John 3:16 Center) in Halifax, Northampton, and Warren Counties
Lights On Afterschool was launched in October 2000 with celebrations in 1,200 communities nationwide. The following year 3,600 events took place. Today, more than 8,000 Lights On Afterschool celebrations are held annually, attracting 1 million Americans and media coverage. Lights On Afterschool is a project of the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that all children have access to quality, affordable afterschool programs.
“We are thrilled to celebrate this year’s Afterschool Champions for Lights On Afterschool Day this year,” said NC CAP Director Elizabeth Anderson. “Their commitment to the kids in their programs, to their communities, and to education in the state of North Carolina is commendable. Afterschool, summer learning, and other out-of-school time programs are an essential part of our education system and a lifeline for families across North Carolina and we are grateful to the dedicated professionals that provide learning opportunities, mentorship, and support to students in our state.”
Also as part of the celebration, afterschool and youth development programs and local communities will host Lights On Afterschool events across North Carolina and the country. These events will shine a light on local afterschool programs and initiatives and celebrate their benefits.
Learn more about the annual national Lights on Afterschool campaign here, and find more Lights On events happening across North Carolina and the country here.
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About the North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs
Established in 2002, the North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs is a comprehensive statewide afterschool and expanded learning network working in collaboration with stakeholders across North Carolina to increase access to high-quality afterschool and expanded learning programs for all children and youth in North Carolina, especially for those at-risk of education failure. NC CAP’s key partners include out-of-school time (OST) providers, state agencies, state and local policymakers, law enforcement, universities and community colleges, business, and the philanthropic community. NC CAP supports out-of-school time professionals by providing high-quality professional development, technical assistance, and resources; informs stakeholders and policymakers about the benefits of out-of-school time programming and its impacts on students in the state of North Carolina; convenes communities and key parkers around out-of-school time issues; and advocates at local, state, and federal levels for expanding afterschool access, opportunity, and equity. (To learn more, please visit https://ncafterschool.org/.)
About the Public School Forum of North Carolina
Since our founding in 1986 as a nonpartisan “think and do tank,” the Public School Forum of North Carolina has been a champion of better schools and one of the most trusted sources in the state for research and analysis on vital education issues. In order to provide meaningful action on our state’s most important public education issues, we bring together leaders from business, education and government to study education issues, develop ideas, and ultimately inform and shape education policy. We do this through research, policy work, innovative programs, advocacy, and continuing education for educators and policymakers. Follow us on social media at @theNCForum and visit our website at http://www.ncforum.org/
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