Empire State Building Puts Lights On Afterschool

Afterschool leaders and supporters across the country planned the biggest and best Lights On Afterschool celebration ever. In addition to bringing together students, parents, educators, lawmakers, and community and business leaders to show support for afterschool programs, the eighth annual Lights On Afterschool kicked off a year-long celebration of the 10th anniversary of 21st Century Community Learning Centers, the chief federal funding stream for afterschool programs.

Lights On Afterschool 2007 included some 7,500 events throughout the nation and at military bases around the world. At these events, a million Americans urged leaders to support the afterschool programs that keep kids safe, inspire them to learn and help working families. More than 14 million children have no place to go after the school day ends.

Lights On Afterschool rallies give youth a chance to showcase the skills they learn and the talents they develop at their afterschool programs, and to send the message that millions of kids and families need afterschool programs.