Youth Bureau Celebrates After School Programs

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The City of White Plains Youth Bureau will once again be celebrating Light On After School during the month of October.

Each of the elementary, middle school and community-based after school programs in the City will participate in a nationwide art show focused on artwork celebrating after school programming. Youth who participate in these programs will also work on essays describing the importance of their after school programs to them, to their families and to their community.

The month of celebration will close with a pot-luck family night on October 18, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at each of the after school programs. On this night youth will showcase their art work, essays, talents and participate in activities geared toward educating parents and families about the importance of after school programs as well as other Youth Bureau and City of White Plains services. 

Lights On After School is a nationwide celebration of after school programs. More than 28 million school-age children have either their only parent or both parents working outside the home. More than 15 million "latchkey children" go home afterschool each day to a house with no adult supervision, and without the opportunities to learn that after school programs can provide.

Studies show that the hours between 3:00 – 6:00 pm are crucial for our children. It is during these hours that juveniles are more likely to be victims of or commit a crime.

After school programs help ensure that children are safe as well as help boost school success and graduation rates. These programs also help working parents keep working, free from worry about what their kids might be up to after the end of the regular school day.