This is Afterschool Partner Toolkit

For Immediate Release

Afterschool programs give kids the chance to discover what they love to do, and develop the skills they’ll need to land that first job. For parents, programs provide a lifeline, keeping kids safe and giving parents peace of mind. Families across America rely on afterschool, and the demand for programs is growing every day. For every child in a program, two are waiting to get in. With budget uncertainty looming and the administration’s attempts to eliminate 21st Century Community Learning Centers, it is a critical time to rally support for afterschool.

This is Afterschool

The Afterschool Alliance and Mott Foundation launched This is Afterschool to promote and highlight the benefits of afterschool programs. We hope you will join us by sharing campaign messages and your own stories and data on the impact of afterschool. We want as many diverse voices and sectors as possible to be part of this effort to show what afterschool can do for America’s kids and families. We’re ready to work with you to provide materials that suit your audience and perspective. Contact us: uhelminski@afterschoolalliance.org

How can you participate?

  • Promote our content across your social media platforms, and use thisisafterschool.org an ongoing resource.
  • Include the hashtag #ThisIsAfterschool in your tweets and Instagram posts so you’re part of the conversation.
  • Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest @afterschool4all and on Facebook @afterschoolalliancedc to keep up with the latest news and updates.

Graphics and Sample Posts

A collection of graphics for Facebook and Twitter. Click on the graphic to download a high quality file and tailor the sample posts with your messages.

Facebook Graphics

  • This is Afterschool. Kids who take part in afterschool programs are more likely to graduate from high school.
  • Afterschool programs help young people gain confidence, build skills, and explore future careers. This is Afterschool.
  • Kids who attend afterschool programs gain hands on experience, and learn to communicate, collaborate, and lead. This is Afterschool.
  • Afterschool programs help young people develop the skills they need to land their first job. Inspiring future careers. This is Afterschool.
  • Afterschool gives parents peace of mind because they know their kids are safe, learning, and having fun. If parents are worried afterschool, they’re less productive at work.
  • Afterschool programs have been proven to nurture critical thinking, leadership development, and job success. This is Afterschool.
  • XX% of STATE parents say afterschool programs help working parents keep their jobs. But when kids have no place to go after school, parents lose 8 days of work and businesses lose up to $300 billion per year.
  • In STATE, XX% of parents agree that afterschool programs can help students build interest and gain skills in STEM. But right now, 2.4 million STEM jobs are going unfulfilled because of a lack of qualified candidates.
  • Afterschool programs can help kids build the skills they need land their first jobs in high-demand fields like manufacturing.

Twitter Graphics

  • Kids who take part in afterschool programs are more likely to graduate from high school. #ThisisAfterschool
  • In afterschool programs, young people gain confidence, build skills, and explore future careers. #ThisisAfterschool
  • #ThisisAfterschool. Giving the next generation of entrepreneurs the tools they need to succeed.
  • #ThisisAfterschool. Helping XXXXX kids in STATE develop the skills they need to land their first job.
  • Afterschool programs let parents focus on providing for their families. Without them, parents can be less productive at work, costing businesses in the long run. #ThisisAfterschool
  • XXXXX kids in STATE are building critical thinking and leadership skills in afterschool programs, setting themselves up for future success. #ThisisAfterschool
  • XX% of STATE parents say afterschool programs help working parents keep their jobs. #ThisisAfterschool
  • In STATE, XX% of parents agree that afterschool programs can help students build interest and gain skills in STEM. #ThisisAfterschool
  • #ThisisAfterschool. Afterschool programs can help kids build the skills they need land their first jobs in high-demand fields like manufacturing.

Research

File Description
Factsheet: This is Afterschool

An overview of decades of research showing that afterschool programs help kids learn, grow, and make smart choices.
Factsheet: 21st Century Community Learning Centers

Evaluations of 21stCCLC programs show a positive impact on students’ academics, school-day attendance, engagement in learning, and behavior.
Factsheet: Afterschool STEM

A summary of the unique value of afterschool STEM.
Find state data

Explore facts and figures about afterschool programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Stories

Use story cards to highlight champions or profile programs. These graphics can accompany a blog, be shared on social media, or printed for meetings and events.

From afterschool to geophysicist

stem_career_maya

From afterschool to electrician

stem_career_colby