Making the Case for Afterschool

Before you embark on your advocacy efforts, it is important to craft your message. What is the story you want to tell? What does the research say about the value of afterschool for children, youth and families?

We know that quality afterschool programs keep kids safe, help working families and support learning. Research studies prove that high-quality afterschool programs can bolster academic achievement and, equally important, foster the development of critical social and emotional learning.

Did you also know that?

• A 2006 Afterschool Alliance poll finds that two in three voters (65 percent) say that afterschool programs are an absolute necessity for their community, with over a majority strongly saying the programs are necessary.
• Eighty-five percent of teens surveyed by Public Agenda said that peers who participate in afterschool activities are better off than those who do not.
• According to Fight Crime: Invest in Kids’ poll of working moms, despite public focus on school shootings and other violence during the school day, nearly nine in ten working mothers said they are most concerned about their children’s safety during the afterschool hours.

There are a number of ways to make the most of your advocacy efforts. Find the one that works best for you. And don’t forget that you are the expert!

Download AfterSchool Works! New York’s Afterschool Advocacy in New York State: A Guide for Afterschool Professionals

Click here to download our Advocacy Guide