Boys & Girls Club to Celebrate Lights on Afterschool Week

Ellijay Event is Part of Nationwide Celebration of Afterschool Programming

Ellijay, GA – Hundreds of children, parents, business and community leaders will come together on October 22, 2015 to promote the importance of quality afterschool programs in the lives of Georgia’s youth as part of the 16^th annual nationwide Lights On Afterschool celebration. Last year, over one million people celebrated the importance of and demand for afterschool nationwide during Lights on Afterschool.

In Gilmer County, the Boys & Girls Club will be holding a celebration as part of Lights on Afterschool on Thursday, October 22 from 4pm to 7pm. The Club will host an open house between those hours.  Club Kids will provide tours for our visitors while other Kids will be busy in our four program areas:  recreation, arts/crafts, social games and Power Hour (homework).

“Throughout Georgia, afterschool programs provide the kind of enriching environment that has been consistently proven to be a keystone to academic success,” said Katie Landes, Director of the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network. “The connection is clear: when students report positive afterschool experiences, teachers report gains in the classroom.”

According to America After 3PM data released in 2014, only 16% of Georgia’s K-12 youth participate in afterschool programs, while 18% are responsible for taking care of themselves after school. Despite this, 40% of Georgia’s children who are not in an afterschool program have indicated that they would likely participate if one were available in their community. “Unfortunately, we don’t have enough afterschool programs to accommodate this demand,” said Jan W. Day, Club Unit Director. “This event, like events throughout the state, will showcase the high quality afterschool programming that should be available to all of Georgia’s youth.”

Georgia’s Lights on Afterschool Day is a joint effort between the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network, a public-private collaborative dedicated to advancing, connecting and supporting quality afterschool programs throughout Georgia, and Voices for Georgia’s Children, a public-private child policy and advocacy organization.