Afterschool Programs Enrich Children's Lives

Afterschool Programs Enrich Children’s Lives (NAPSA)—The hours after school can be a wonderful time to enrich a child’s life—especially if that child has a quality afterschool program to attend. Such programs help keep kids safe, inspire them to learn and help working families. Some 14.3 million kindergarten through 12th graders take care of themselves after the school day ends, according to an Afterschool Alliance study funded by The JCPenney Afterschool Fund. The Afterschool Alliance is working to make afterschool programs available to all children and families by 2010. Leading this initiative are afterschool ambassadors who organize public events, communicate with policy makers, and build support for afterschool programs in their communities. The JCPenney Afterschool Fund is supporting 28 ambassadors around the country in 2004/2005. Most ambassadors run afterschool programs in their own communities. Each ambassador plans a major event for Lights On After- % The Afterschool Alliance is work- ing to make afterschool pro- grams available to all children. school, which this year is October 14. That’s the day programs nationwide ask lawmakers and their communities for support. The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is the 2004 National Presenting Sponsor for Lights On Afterschool and The JCPenney Afterschool Fund is a National Sponsorof the event. For more information, visit www.afterschoolalliance.org.