Advocacy

Lights on Afterschool 2024

“Since 2000, Lights On Afterschool has been celebrated nationwide to call attention to the importance of afterschool programs for America's children, families and communities.”

– Afterschool Alliance

Celebrating 25 Years

October 24th, 2024 marked the 25th anniversary of the Lights On Afterschool campaign from Afterschool Alliance.

As an out-of-school time intermediary focused in advocating for OST programs, APOST will put forth effort and resources to celebrate OST and inform on the importance of this programming in Allegheny County on behalf of this national campaign throughout the week of October 21–25, 2024.

For 2024, APOST distributed 36 mini-grants to Allegheny County OST organizations to celebrate their programs with events in celebration of Lights On Afterschool and honoring their youth, families, and communities.

2024 APOST Lights On Afterschool

Mini-Grant Recipients

  • Allegheny Youth Development

  • Assemble

  • Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania at Scott Primary

  • Brothers & Sisters Emerging

  • Elizabeth Seton Center

  • Fusion - Center of Life

  • Heritage Out of School Time (HOST)

  • Imagine Further Collective

  • K-5 Little Warriors After School Programs

  • Kidcelerate Learning Hub

  • Knowledge Connection, Moon Twp. Parks & Recreation

  • LAP Youth Arts Institute

  • Lauri Ann West Community Center

  • Maple Unified Student Academy (MUSA)

  • Melting Pot Ministries

  • Open Studio at SLB Radio

  • Pittsburgh Hardball Academy

  • Plant a Seed Children’s Partnership

  • Propel MAGIC

  • Rankin Christian Center

  • Sarah Heinz House

  • South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM)

  • The Maker’s Clubhouse

  • We’ll Leave the Light On for You!

  • YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh (North & South East Regions)

  • YWCA Opportunity Pathways Programs

  • Family Resources

About Lights On Afterschool

Launched in October 2000, Lights On Afterschool is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. The effort has become a hallmark of the afterschool movement and generates media coverage across the country each year.

The Afterschool Alliance organizes Lights On Afterschool to draw attention to the many ways afterschool programs support students by offering them opportunities to learn new things—such as science, community service, robotics, Tae Kwon Do and poetry—and discover new skills. The events send a powerful message that millions more kids need quality afterschool programs.