Strengthening America’s After School Programs (NAPSA)—Up to 15 million American youth do not participate in structured educationalor recreational activities during after school hours (U.S. Census Bureau, Urban Institute estimates, 2000). That’s a serious problem. Youth with nothingto do after school are more susceptible to violent juve- nile crime, substance abuse and poor academic performance. The 4-H movementis responding to this problem with 4-H Afterschool, an initiative to increase the quality and quantity of after school programs in the community and nationwide. The aim is to provide more young people with outstanding learning opportunities through which they can havefun, stay safe, and develop social, emotional, physical and academicskills. 4-H introduced 4-H Afterschool during National 4-H Week in October in support of Lights On Afterschool! Thousands of communities across the country marked the occasions by raising awareness of the need for after school programs. Easily accessible to anyone in youth development, 4-H Afterschool provides a vast reservoir of expertise. The user-friendly resource guides, for example, explain how to establish 4-H clubs at after school sites and provide training on how to work effectively with youth. With proven curricula covering hundreds of topics—from leadership and character building to aerospace and computer science—4-H Afterschool can also equip youth programs in the community with the ready-touse tools they need to brighten young mindsandspirits. To learn more about 4-H Afterschool, visit www.4hafter schooLorg.
