Young people need access to high-quality, well-funded afterschool programs that provide academic assistance, expanded learning opportunities, complementary learning, promote social and emotional wellness , and provide an opportunity for young people to develop meaningful and respectful relationships with professional staff and mentors who understand the developmental needs of young people.

Better academic standing, improved social skills, more favorable view of oneself, increased self awareness of health habits have been shown to be the results of a young person’s regular attendance at a well managed out-of-school time program.

Afterschool programs both complement school day activities like offering real life experiences related to learning, and also make available activities that are less often accessible at schools, such as fine arts, physical education, and career development. They also present unique opportunities for young people to be exposed to less traditional experiences such as project learning, service-learning, and cultural and social differences.