Gwinnett To Celebrate After-School Programs Oct. 24 In Park

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — Gwinnett County invites children, parents and business and community leaders to come together to celebrate after-school programs at "Walk Among the Stars." The event, part of the National Lights On Afterschool initiative, is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, at Collins Hill Park, at 2225 Collins Hill Road in Lawrenceville.

The event, which is free, will draw attention to the need for more after-school programs to serve the millions of children nationwide who are unsupervised and at risk each weekday afternoon.

"Walk Among the Stars" will be one of more than 8,000 National Lights On Afterschool events nationwide.

“Walk Among the Stars celebrates the remarkable work being done by government organizations and community partners,” said Tina Fleming, director of the Gwinnett County Department of Community Services, in a statement.

“It is a powerful reminder that after-school programs offer a range of important support to children and families," she said. "Unfortunately, there are not always enough accessible after-school programs, and too many kids are home alone in the afternoons, where they can be exposed to at-risk behaviors.”

"Walk Among the Stars" will feature a Neverland theme this year. Participants are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite characters and enjoy STEM activities, interactive games, crafts, inflatables and more.

This year’s event in Lawrenceville is sponsored by Aetna, along with community partners that include Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta-Strong4Life, GUIDE Inc., Gwinnett 4-H, Discovery Point, Gwinnett County Public Library, i9 Sports and other government divisions.

After-School Programs Popular In Georgia

After-school programs support students by offering them opportunities to discover new skills and learn new things, like science, community service, robotics, Tae Kwon Do and poetry, according to the Afterschool Alliance.

Lights On Afterschool is organized by the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit group. Recent data from America After 3PM, a study on after-school programs commissioned by the Afterschool Alliance, "shows a vast unmet demand for afterschool programs nationwide," the group said in the statement.

In Georgia, only 16 percent of children participate in an after-school program, yet 40 percent would be enrolled if a program were available, the alliance said.

"Parents of children in afterschool programs are overwhelmingly pleased with the programs, with 90 percent saying they are satisfied with their child’s program and 79 percent reporting that after-school programs give working parents peace of mind," the alliance said.

For more information on the Afterschool Alliance, Lights On Afterschool and America After 3PM, please click here.

Release: Gwinnett County