Why Afterschool Programs Matter

When many people think about education, they immediately think about kids sitting in a classroom with a teacher, raising their hands to answer questions, and taking tests. But learning does not have to stop when the dismissal bell rings...nor should it. This is especially true for our inner-city youth.

I am sure we all remember getting home from school, happy to be free from the confines of the classroom, only to find mom or dad directing you to your bedroom to finish your homework. No playing and no watching television until all of the homework is completed and checked. As a child, this was probably frustrating. However, now as an adult, we can all thank our parents for placing such a high value on education.

Now imagine a different reality. You come home from school to find your mother either not home or busy watching television. Perhaps she came in late last night from partying with her friends. She doesn't make you do your homework. She probably doesn't even ask if you have any. You are free to hang out with your friends and play video games. You are likely not going to do the homework on your own because you struggle with reading and don't quite understand what the teacher wants from you. You are already performing below grade level, and will likely just drop out once you reach high school because it is more lucrative to make money on the streets. There you can see an immediate return on your investment. If you make it to your 18th birthday without being arrested, it will be a miracle. Friends will die from violence around you, and every day you will be exposed to substance abuse, as you have been since before you could comprehend your surroundings.

This bleak scenario does not have to be the reality of all of our inner-city children. Studies have shown that structured afterschool programs with caring adults can dramatically alter a child's future. Boys & Girls Clubs around America are truly a beacon of light and opportunity for poor children in rural and urban communities. They partner with a variety of organizations to offer the highest quality programs that research has shown to be effective at increasing achievement levels and building confidence.

One such collaboration with the Department of Education has resulted in 21st Century Community Learning Centers in many Clubs nationwide, including our school sites at Charles Eliot and Walton. Part of the "No Child Left Behind" act, the 21st Century program is the only federal funding source dedicated to afterschool programming, and is specifically geared towards students attending high-poverty, low-performing schools. Designed to complement the academic programs in schools, 21st Century provides services such as drug and violence prevention, counseling, art and music, and programs in technology, recreation, education, and character development. Performance studies have shown that youth who go to a 21st Century Center on a regular basis improve their reading and math scores by an average of 43% and 49%, respectively. This gives kids who need it most the extra instruction, one-on-one attention, and guidance to become successful students, and ultimately, productive citizens.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland is proud to provide opportunities to extend the learning day through our 21st Century sites, as well as our traditional Club locations. Through programs like Power Hour, Project LEARN, and our arts and recreational programming, we are showing kids that learning and fun go hand in hand. Won't you join us? Volunteer to change a child's life today and help ensure that our inner-city kids have every opportunity to succeed!

For more information about volunteering visit www.clevekids.org.
For more information about the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, visit http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/.