January 6, 2026 Afterschool Alliance Survey Aims to Gather Information on Program Needs The Afterschool Alliance is asking those who operate afterschool or summer learning programs to take a survey to provide information on the needs that their programs face. Learn More The intention of the survey is for the alliance to better understand the support that afterschool and summer learning programs are currently providing as well as the challenges they face. It is also meant to gain insight into what the needs are for programs to be able to better help the children and families they serve. Answers in the survey will provide information that the alliance will share with funders, policymakers, education leaders, and the public on the importance of increasing investments to afterschool and summer programs that foster learning, connection, and belonging. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. All responses will be anonymous. Those who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing in which 50 respondents will receive a $50 gift card. Those interested in taking the survey can do so online.
December 3, 2024 Nominate an Organization for the Engage Every Student Recognition Program Those who benefit from out-of-school time programs can nominate an organization for the 2024-25 Engage Every Student Recognition Program. Learn More In 2023, the U.S. Department of Education and partnering organizations designed the Engage Every Student Recognition Program in regard to the Engage Every Student initiative. The initiative’s aim is to ensure that every student who wants a spot in a high-quality out-of-school time program gets one. High-quality is defined as meeting students’ social, emotional, mental, and physical health as well as their academic needs. Out-of-school programs – which take place after the school day or outside of the regular school year – include everything from comprehensive afterschool or summer-learning and enrichment programs to vacation academies, work-based learning programs, youth development programs, and experiential or service-learning programs. Criteria For an organization to be eligible for a nomination, it must be a: Nonprofit organization working in collaboration with local education agencies City municipality or local government entity working in collaboration with local education agencies Local education agency working with a nonprofit organization or city/municipality or local government entity Additional criteria can be found on the Engage Every Student Recognition Program page. Those interested in nominating an organization must do so by Jan. 31. Eligible entities can self-nominate or be nominated.
October 18, 2023 Celebrate Lights On Afterschool Day 2023 On October 26, celebrate Lights On Afterschool Day. This is a nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families, and communities. About Lights On Afterschool This year, Governor Josh Shapiro has proclaimed that October 26 is Lights On Afterschool Day. The Afterschool Alliance has recorded that over half of students participate in afterschool programming across the nation. Therefore, they have organized the Lights On Afterschool campaign to draw attention to the many ways afterschool programs support students by offering them opportunities to learn new things—such as science, community service, robotics, Tae Kwon Do, and poetry—and discover new skills. This year they invite you to participate and host your own “Lights On” event. Events Happening in Pittsburgh: Dragon’s Den Tuesday, 10/24 | 3:30 – 5 p.m. 1008 Amity Street, Homestead, PA 15120 Family Resources/ BJWL Homewood Wednesday, 10/25 | 4 – 6 p.m. 10 Albertice Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208 Neighborhood Learning Alliance Wednesday, 10/25 | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Arsenal K – 5, 215 39th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208 Woolslair K – 5, 501 40th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15224 Allegheny Youth Development Thursday, 10/26 | 4 – 7 p.m. 3530 Fleming Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Center That Cares Thursday, 10/26 | 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. 2701 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Learn More Earthen Vessels Outreach Thursday, 10/26 | 4 – 6 p.m. 250 S. Pacific Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224 Melting Pot Ministries Thursday, 10/26 | 3 – 6:30 p.m. 5811 Curry Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236 Register Neighborhood Learning Alliance Thursday, 10/26 | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Concord K – 5, 2350 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15210 Roosevelt Intermediate, 17 W. Cherryhill Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15210 Project Destiny Thursday, 10/26 | 4 – 6 p.m. Destiny of Faith Church, 3737 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Pittsburgh Manchester PreK – 8 School, 1612 Manhattan Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15233 Rankin Christian Center Thursday, 10/26 | 4 – 6:30 p.m. 230 Third Avenue, Rankin, PA 15104 SLB Radio Productions Thursday, 10/26 | 4 – 6 p.m. 10 Children’s Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 The Maker’s Clubhouse Thursday, 10/26 | 4 – 6 p.m. PPS – Lincoln, 238 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 PPS – Faison, 7430 Tioga Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208 Youth Opportunities Development Thursday, 10/26 | 3 – 8 p.m. 501 Mitchell Avenue, Clairton, PA 15025 Assemble Friday, 10/27 | 4 – 6 p.m. 4824 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224 Find Other Events Communities nationwide, including many in western Pennsylvania, are celebrating. Find local events online. For more information and the toolkit, visit the Lights On Afterschool webpage. Learn More About Afterschool Programs Afterschool programs or Out-of-School-Time (OST) programs offer countless benefits to the community and significantly impact students behaviorally and academically. In Allegheny County alone, there are over 180,000 students between the ages of 5-17 years old that are eligible to participate in these programs. That is why it is important to know about the programs that are operating in your community. To learn more, please visit the APOST event calendar.
