For Immediate Release: October 5, 2021
Contact: Cary Mohiuddin | cmohiuddin@collectiveforyouth.org

Collective for Youth to celebrate 22nd annual Lights On Afterschool celebration, highlighting the importance of Omaha’s after school programming.

Throughout the month of October, Collective for Youth (CFY) will celebrate the 22nd annual Lights On Afterschool celebration, a nationwide, month-long event organized by the Afterschool Alliance. CFY will kick off the month with an appreciation event for after school staff and leverage its digital platforms to call attention to the importance of after school programs and the resources necessary to keep the lights on for providers.

CFY is one of more than 8,000 communities in the country that actively partner with Lights On Afterschool, using this time to promote the outstanding work of after school agencies, programs and staff who serve metro area youth. Part of this engagement will include yard sign distribution, educational resources like videos and statistics, social media promotional graphics and virtual backgrounds, as well as city and state-level advocacy to assess and improve the needs of after school providers.

“I am committed to supporting CFY after school programs because not only do we support the growth and learning of the youth, but we also support and strengthen the growth of our after school providers and partners,” said Cary Mohiuddin, CFY Operations Manager. “I love supporting after school programs because the hands-on, interactive activities keep students engaged and interested in learning.”

Serving more than 7,400 metro area students annually, CFY partners with more than 60 Nebraska agencies to provide youth with a safe place to be after school. Students are provided learning opportunities and enrichment, a meal, access to homework help and tutoring, and mental and emotional learning support. Lights On Afterschool is an opportunity for the community to learn more about the mission and service of CFY and to invest in the lives of children who benefit from after school programming. The Afterschool Alliance hosts this event to urge lawmakers, community leaders, and supporters to step up their support.

“During the pandemic, after school programs are proving once again how essential they are, stepping up to provide a host of services to students and families who are struggling,” said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant. “We need quality after school programs now more than ever because they help children and youth recover and re-engage, so they can succeed in school and in life. Every child deserves access to a quality after school program.”

If you’re interested in pledging your support to after school programming in the Omaha metro, you can:
● Click here to Download Lights on Afterschool Social Media Support Graphics and Frames
●Pick up at yard sign at our midtown office located at 105 N 31st Ave #103, Omaha, NE 68131
● Attend a virtual event
● Tour an after school program in your neighborhood by contacting your neighborhood school
● Advocate to your local representatives for continued investment in after school programming