Lights On Afterschool

We're proud to join communities all across America celebrating the 26th annual Lights On Afterschool rally on October 23! Bridges, monuments, buildings, and other landmarks across the country will be lit in yellow and blue for Lights On Afterschool, as more than 1 million people gather to celebrate the many ways afterschool programs help children, youth and families through hands-on learning, activities that build teamwork and other life skills, and quality time with peers and mentors.

To celebrate, kids in YMCA afterschool programs are creating lightbulb artwork that will be on proud display at our Parent Open Houses at each afterschool site from 5–6pm on October 23. 

The unmet need for afterschool programs is enormous. A 2022 survey of approximately 1,500 parents commissioned by the Afterschool Alliance and conducted by Edge Research found that approximately half of children not in an afterschool program would be enrolled, if a program were available to them.

If you think every kid deserves access to afterschool programs with income-based rates that meet their family’s financial situation through the Y’s Open Doors program, we invite you to celebrate Lights On Afterschool by downloading a coloring sheet, sharing on social media, and making a gift to provide afterschool access for all.