Celebrating, Advocating Afterschool Hours

Afterschool programs are important for students, families and communities. Not only do they give students a safe place to go once school lets out, they also help build foundations that support students’ success.

In Flint, YouthQuest offers support and engaging activities in areas including academics and STEM, enrichments activity, leadership development, community engagement, and health and nutrition.

According to statistics from youth.gov, afterschool programs play a role in encouraging physical activity and good dietary habits and are associated with positive health outcomes. At YouthQuest, various sites offer clubs that teach students how to be active, how to garden or how to make a healthy meal.

“What our program offers is important not just to the students but to their family and community,” says Nefetari Jones, program director for YouthQuest. “Without programs like YouthQuest, this support isn’t as readily available to students.”

To draw attention to the important role YouthQuest plays in the community, the program will participate in Lights on Afterschool – a nationwide event that highlights the many ways afterschool programs support students throughout the United States.

This year’s celebration is scheduled for Thursday, October 24; however, YouthQuest sites will be celebrating throughout the month.

Below, see a list of events at participating YouthQuest sites:

• Brownell Elementary Science and Art celebration – October 24
• Doyle-Ryder Elementary Glow Party – October 24
• Durant-Tuuri-Mott Elementary Literacy Night – October 24
• Eisenhower Elementary Glow Party – October 24
• Flint Junior High Northside Spooky Family Fun Night – October 31
• Freeman Elementary Lights on Harvest Night – October 23
• Holmes STEM Academy Glow Night and Haunted Hallway – October 28
• International Academy of Flint Harvest Night – October 30
• Neithercut Elementary Report Card Pick Up Day Lights on Celebration – October 24
• Pierce Elementary Family Giant Game Night – October 24
• Potter Elementary Halloween Party – October 25
• Southwestern Classical Lit for Afterschool – October 24

Interested in attending one of the events? Contact Dawn By at 810-600-1422.

To learn more about Lights on Afterschool, which is organized by the Afterschool Alliance and includes nearly 8,000 activities this year, visit www.afterschoolalliance.org/loa.cfm.

YouthQuest is made possible through the generous support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and 21st Century Community Learning Centers.