Lights On Afterschool: Celebrating and Connecting
At Aspire Afterschool Learning, our values guide everything we do. They’re not just words on our website; they’re the compass that guides how we show up with and for our students, families, and community. Our value of Connection specifically serves as both a principle and a practice. It’s through connection with our students, staff, volunteers, parents, and greater community that we build a stronger, more equitable community where every one of our students can feel supported, thrive, and dream big.
That’s why Aspire was proud to participate in Lights On Afterschool, a nationwide celebration of afterschool programs organized by the Afterschool Alliance. On October 23, organizations across the country shined a light (literally and figuratively) on the importance of out-of-school time opportunities. For us at Aspire, it was an opportunity to celebrate our students’ creativity, elevate their voices, and remind our community that afterschool programs are a lifeline for young people and their families.
Our decision to join Lights On Afterschool was inspired by our families and students. Parents and caregivers told us how much Aspire means to them, not only for academic support but as a place where their children feel seen, safe, and inspired. Students told us they wanted more ways to share what Aspire means to them and to have their voices heard beyond the classroom. And this year, as the number of students on Aspire’s waitlist continues to grow to record numbers, we have a responsibility to advocate not only for Aspire students, but for ALL of the students in our community.
Instead of holding a single event, we took a month-long, community-wide approach to raise awareness and spark dialogue about why afterschool programs matter.
Aspire students created original artwork that expressed what afterschool means to them: friendship, creativity, joy, and the power to dream big. These designs were printed on postcards we distributed at community events leading up to Lights On Afterschool Day. Each postcard carried both a student’s artwork and an opportunity for community members to take action by writing to their local representatives in support of continued investment in out-of-school time programs.
Community members shared their voice and took action during our Makerspace Ribbon Cutting and Volunteer Reading Nights, at community gatherings like Causes & Cocktails: Education, and at our Annual Achieving Afterschool Celebration.
On October 23, Aspire students and families came together across our three sites: Drew and Randolph Elementary Schools and the Arlington Mill Community Center, for an afternoon of celebration and reflection. Together, we honored the incredible impact of afterschool programs, the people who make them possible, and the brilliant futures our students can have with continued investment in Aspire and out-of-school-time programming.
Aspire’s participation in Lights On Afterschool was both a celebration and an act of connection when the world feels increasingly divided. We were honored to bring together Aspire students, parents, educators, local leaders, and neighbors to shine a light on what happens when we invest in our young people and in one another and to stand shoulder to shoulder with over 8,000 organizations and communities across the country who feel the same way.
Aspire has shown, time and again, that when we lead with our values of connection, fun & caring, and equity & access, there’s no challenge we can’t overcome. Whether facing federal funding cuts or new opportunities for growth, Aspire’s approach remains the same: we listen to those closest to the work and let their voices guide our path forward. Together, we can keep the lights on for Aspire, afterschool programs across the county, and for the dreams of every student we serve.