Why Us?

Did You Know?

Three Hours Can Change A Life.

Kids with nowhere to go, end up… going nowhere.

The after school hours are the peak time for juvenile crime and experimentation with drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and sex. (Source: Bureau, Urban Institute Estimate, 2000) Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, 2002)

The parents of more than 28 million school-age children work outside the home. As many as 15 million “latchkey children” go to an empty house on any given afternoon. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor; U.S. Census Bureau, Urban Institute estimate, 2000)

Teens who do not participate in after school programs are nearly three times more likely to skip classes or use marijuana or other drugs; they are also more likely to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes and engage in sexual activity. (YMCA of the USA, March 2001)

Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, a bipartisan anti-crime organization led by police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors, victims of violence and leaders of police officer associations, has found through a series of studies that violent juvenile crime is most likely to occur between 3 pm and 6 pm, and that youth are more likely to engage in risky behaviors – smoke, drink, or do drugs – during these hours. Unsupervised youth are also most likely to get in car accidents during these hours. These points are not lost on voters. Clearly their opinions related to the supervision and safety of youth are affected by what they see during the after school hours in their own communities.

The hours between 3-6 p.m. on school days (referred to by law enforcement officials as a “danger zone”) are the prime time for violent juvenile crime; this is also the time period during which kids are most likely to become victims of violent crime, be involved in all kinds of accidents, experiment with drugs or alcohol, and become pregnant.

Working mothers report that 3 -6 p.m. is the time of day when they most worry about their children’s safety.

Lack of adult supervision and participation in self-care for both children and adolescents have been linked to: increased likelihood of accidents, injuries, lower social competence, lower GPAs, lower achievement test scores and greater likelihood of participation in delinquent or other high risk activities such as experimentation with alcohol, tobacco, drugs and sex. Teens who are unsupervised during after school hours are 37% more likely to become teen parents.

About one third of 8th graders, one fourth of 10th graders and one-fifth of 12th graders watched four or more hours of television on weekdays in 2000. Researchers have associate watching TV to an increased likelihood that children and teens will display physically aggressive behaviors, exhibit relational aggression behaviors (behavi8ors that harm others through damage or threat of damage to relationships feels friendship or group inclusion) and assume the worst in their interaction with others.

Young people with nothing to do during out-of-school hours miss valuable chance for growth and development. The odds are high that youth with nothing positive to do and nowhere to go will find things to do that negatively influence their development and futures. “Kids with someplace to go, end up…going places!”

After school programs keep kids safe, help working families and inspire success among youth.

“Americans value after school programs and recognize the many benefits they provide. The public recognizes that after school programs reduce juvenile crime, help working families and give kids needed help with their schoolwork. Federal, state and local lawmakers can learn a lot about what matters to their constituents by looking at this research.” – Mayor John De Stefano, President of the National League of Cities and Mayor of New Haven, Connecticut

After school programs have the power to reduce crime, increase safety, bring neighbors together, and foster community pride and ownership.

After school programs are proven to lower juvenile crime rates and generally improve neighborhoods and not just by keeping youth occupied for a few hours everyday. After school programs help young people succeed by providing academic support and the chance to form meaningful relationships with adults from their community, and by encouraging them to get involved in their neighborhood through service projects. This support, these relationships and the benefits to the community create a mutually beneficial relationship of immeasurable value.

“Young people need the influence of caring adults and positive role models in their lives. Good after-school programs can accomplish that by helping youngsters develop the knowledge, skills and healthy habits to achiever their greatest potential.” – US Secretary of Education Rod Paige at the 2003 After school Summit hosted by the US Department of Education.

Kids who participate in after-school programs earn higher grades, have improved attendance, behave better in school and are more apt to graduate

After-school programs keep kids safe.

Kids in after-school program show an increased interest in school.

Kids in after-school programs express greater hope for the future.

After-school programs reduce juvenile crime. (Source: America’s After-School Choice a report from Fight Crime: Invest in Kids)

After-school programs alleviate childcare worries for working parents.

94 percent of voters agree that there should be some type of organized activity or place for children and youth to go after school every day that provides opportunities for them to learn. (Source: After-School Alliance Poll, October 2003) The average cost of a quality after-school program is between $1500 and $2500 per child annually.

Experts agree that investing money in after-school programs saves lives and tax dollars over time – one study conclude every dollar spent on an after-school program produced three dollars in benefits to the public.

There is growing evidence that quality out of school opportunities matter- that they complement environments created by schools and families and provide important nutrients that deter failure and promote success – and that they matter in ways that are observable and measurable.

After school programs can offer intangibles such as – the opportunity to engage in activities that help young people realize they have something to contribute to the group; the opportunity to work with diverse peers and adults to create projects, performances, and presentations that receive accolades from their families and the larger community; and the opportunity to develop a vision of life’s possibilities that with commitment and persistence, are attainable.