The nonprofit, Good Shepherd Services, announced on Thursday, Oct. 24, that the afterschool programs at three Fordham Heights schools, P.S. 386, the School for Environmental Citizenship at Creston Acdemy, M.S. 447, also at Creston Academy, and P.S. 279, Captain Manuel Rivera, Jr., recently celebrated the “Lights On Afterschool” initiative, a nationwide program launched in October 2000, to showcase the importance and impact of afterschool programs.

Good Shepherd Services (GSS) which operates an afterschool program at P.S. 386 and M.S. 447, located at 125 East 181^st Street, and the Committee for Hispanic Children & Families, which runs an afterschool program at P.S. 279, located at 2100 Walton Avenue, held special activities at both locations on Oct. 24 for children, parents and community members to mark the celebration.

“Lights On Afterschool is an annual opportunity for our students and programs to shine,” said Chajaira Rodriguez of the Committee for Hispanic Children, and Families. “Afterschool programs help children build resiliency, learn new skills and succeed academically.” Officials at the Committee for Hispanic Children & Families say it provides programs that reach underserved, low and moderate- income children and families throughout New York City and the home-based child care providers who serve them.

 

A short film highlighting students’ and caregivers’ testimonials about the impact of the afterschool programs was screened, and students also created the shape of a lightbulb with their bodies to denote the shining of a light on afterschool programs.

 

Some of the students also sang and shared inspiring words about the importance of afterschool programs and following the ceremony, marched along University Avenue carrying electric lights and colorful posters, with drones, to raise awareness of the power of afterschool.

Chante Brown of Good Shepherd Services, one of the largest nonprofit youth and family services providers in New York City, operating over 90 programs that support more than 30,000 residents across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, said afterschool programs have the power to expand a child’s community from an early age.  “Working together, we collaborate to provide support for our students and their families,” she said. GSS also runs the Bronx Rises Against Gun Violence (B.R.A.G.) program.

Meanwhile, Kelly McMahon, CEO of the New York State Network for Youth Success, which is dedicated to building a youth-serving system that increases the quality and availability of afterschool and expanded learning programs, said, “Afterschool providers are an invaluable resource for New York’s children and families.”

 

She added, “Lights On Afterschool is a great way to recognize these programs that help to forge bright futures.” Officials at The Network for Youth Success say it supports all programs that promote young people’s intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development outside the traditional school day.

 

More information about Lights On Afterschool is available at https://www.afterschoolalliance.org/loa.cfm.