The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of afterschool programs and advocating for quality, affordable programs for all children. It is supported by a group of public, private and nonprofit organizations that share the Alliance's vision of ensuring that all children have access to afterschool programs by 2010.
The Alliance was formed on the belief that afterschool programs are critical to children and families today, and that the need for programs is not adequately addressed. As many as 15 million children have no place to go after the school bell rings. These children are more likely to be victims of crime or to participate in risky behaviors. Meanwhile, children in afterschool programs have improved grades, behavior and school attendance. They have important opportunities to learn and grow.
Creating more afterschool programs, increasing program quality and moving toward long-term sustainability requires building strong public will in support of afterschool. The Alliance was created to conduct this public awareness and advocacy work. Its purpose is to serve as a public resource on and voice for afterschool by:
- Researching, collecting, and disseminating key data and lessons learned;
- Educating the public through ongoing awareness efforts;
- Engaging local practitioners and community residents in outreach and advocacy; and
- Promoting investment in afterschool initiatives at the national, state, and local levels.
History
The Afterschool Alliance was founded in 1999 by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education, J.C. Penney Company, Inc., the Open Society Institute/The After-School Corporation, the Entertainment Industry Foundation and the Creative Artists Agency Foundation.
The Alliance grew from public awareness efforts undertaken by the Mott Foundation through an unprecedented, public-private partnership with the U.S. Department of Education to expand afterschool programs through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers afterschool program. The federal government provided grants to local communities for afterschool programs, while the Mott Foundation funded training, evaluation and public awareness activities. The Foundation and the Department's efforts caught the attention of several outside entities with a shared interest in achieving afterschool for all. These groups came together in September 1999 to create the Afterschool Alliance.
Today, the Alliance works with a broad range of organizations and supporters, from advocacy groups and afterschool providers (including the 21st Century Community Learning Centers) to business and philanthropic leaders to technical assistance organizations.
Contact Us
Email:
info@afterschoolnow.org
Afterschool Alliance
1616 H St, NW
Washington, DC 20006
202.347.2030
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