This past year marked the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, a reckoning with systemic racism, and the toll of climate change. Through it all, afterschool systems rose to address every challenge.
Afterschool intermediaries sprang into action to meet the needs of their communities and foster more just societies. They served as constant lifelines for youth, families, and providers, working to ensure that young people are safe, connected, and continue to have access to high-quality learning opportunities. The afterschool field responded immediately to program and school closures and enacted solutions that served as a source of hope, comfort, and educational, social and emotional engagement for young people, especially Black, Indigenous and other youth of color.
The world that emerges after this once-in-a-century pandemic won’t be the same.
It won’t go back to normal, nor should it.
What will it look like and what will we cherish?
What role will we each play?
What will learning and positive youth development look like?
What will we learn from this experience to build a better and more just society?
At the 2021 Every Hour Counts National Institute, we’ll gather virtually to reimagine the future of afterschool and what’s possible to engage, empower and support young people. We’ll explore how to develop community-wide solutions with young people and all leaders from across communities.
Join us April 28-30 to:
Get Inspired. Participants will share stories and seek advice with on-the-ground system leaders who represent a diverse range of perspectives. In interactive sessions with passionate speakers, you’ll encounter illuminating perspectives to inform policy and practice in your communities.
Identify Solutions: Engage in strategic conversations with community leaders from across the country to identify solutions that advance the future of afterschool and learning.
Advance Racial Equity: Engage in discussions designed to educate, enlighten, and empower action to foster racially equitable systems and dismantle systemic racism.
Make Connections: Interact with creative thinkers and innovators from across the youth development field and foster new collaborations.
Together, we’ll explore the following content strands through engaging and empowering sessions on:
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Program Quality
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Racial Equity and Social Justice
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Policy, Advocacy and Sustainability
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Data for Continuous Improvement
In these sessions, participants will discuss lessons learned and ways afterschool leaders can play a major role in shaping cities of learning now and in the future. We’re also planning spirited activities and networking events to foster cross-city collaboration and community building.