1.1 Million Texas Children Left Alone Afterschool
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The Afterschool Alliance and the JCPenney Afterschool Fund have released new data on Texas afterschool. The results are discouraging...
15% (678,000) of Texas children participate in afterschool programs.
26% of Texas children (1.1 million) are responsible for taking care of themselves afterschool.
15% of Texas children are in the care of a sibling afterschool
51% of Texas children not in afterschool care would be likely to participate if one were available to them.
89% of adults agree that there should be "some type of organized activity or place for children and teens to go after school that provides opportunities to learn"
More Texas children participate in afterschool programs today than in 2004, but this growth has not kept pace with our population. Therefore, a huge unmet need persists in Texas. According to Jodi Grant at the Afterschool Alliance, "The majority of Texas parents who want their kids in afterschool programs aren't able to find them, usually because programs aren't available, they can't afford the fees, or transportation issues make it impossible. Quality afterschool programs keep kids safe, inspire them to learn, and help working families. Every Texas family that needs an afterschool program should have access to one."
This research confirms what Dallas AfterSchool Network sees every day, that afterschool programs are reaching only a fraction of the children and families that need them and the recession is making matters
worse. There are numerous examples of local programs having closed due to budget cuts or programming and staff being reduced because of funding shortages. And Dallas-area providers are already worrying about how they will be able to afford to operate summer programs in 2010.
These findings reinforce why it is so important for Dallas AfterSchool Network to improve the quality and capacity of local afterschool programs.
To view the complete Texas afterschool fact sheet, please click here. |
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2009 Lights On Afterschool |
 Thanks to everyone who joined us for our 2009 Lights on Afterschool bus tours on October 22nd. DASN hosted 165 guests, including elected officials, funders, corporate representatives and community partners, on tours of North and South Dallas afterschool programs.
Attendees saw first-hand what thousands of Dallas children experience every afternoon when the school bell rings. Guests visited Heart House Dallas, Dallas Community Lighthouse and Thriving Minds at McShan Elementary in the North and St. Anthony Community Center, Girls Inc., and Park South YMCA in the South.
All guests were moved by the spirit of the children, the commitment of the staff and the importance of quality programs in the development of our youth.
Dallas AfterSchool Network is offering tours of afterschool programs to anyone interested in visiting afterschool sites. To arrange a personal tour, please contact Tanya McDonald, Executive Director, at 214-306-8400, x802.
Special thanks to the M.R. and Evelyn Hudson Foundation for their generous underwriting of 2009 Lights On Afterschool!
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DASN News |
DASN Executive Director Named Afterschool Ambassador
Tanya McDonald has been chosen as one of 16 Afterschool Ambassadors by the Afterschool Alliance. Each Ambassador will serve a one-year term organizing public events, communicating with policy makers and building support for afterschool programs across the country.
DASN Board Chair Joins Texas Afterschool Association
Janet Mockovciak, DASN Co-Founder and Board Chair, has joined the board of the Texas Afterschool Association. Janet's nomination to the Texas Afterschool Association board is critical to ensure that Dallas-area providers' interests are represented at the state level.
Mockovciak Receives Community Service Award by NAIFA-Dallas
Janet Mockovciak, DASN Co-Founder and Board Chair, was honored with the Community Service Award by the National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors after a nomination by the Dallas Foundation.
Training Registrations Increase 353%
Dallas AfterSchool Network had 1,008 training registrations in 2009, a 353% increase over 2008! Thanks to all of our trainers and partners, like JCPenney Afterchool Fund and YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, for making this explosive growth possible. Special thanks to the Dallas Foundation for supporting our training efforts in 2009. | |
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WFAA "After the Bell" |
WFAA Channel 8 has launched a twice-weekly segment called "After the Bell", showcasing the importance of afterschool programming to our community. After the Bell came to life after WFAA executives participated in our Lights On Afterschool bus tours and experienced an afternoon in the life of a Dallas child.
After the Bell is produced in partnership with Dallas AfterSchool Network and features stories of the providers, parents and children involved in afterschool across our community.
After the Bell airs every Monday and Wednesday at approximately 6:47AM during "Daybreak" and again on other newcasts throughout the day. View past After the Bell segments by clicking here. |
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Speaking Opportunities
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DASN is currently seeking speaking opportunities to spread the word on the importance of afterschool programming. If you know of a group, association or club that would be interested in hearing our story, please contact Tanya McDonald. |
Afterschool Facts and Figures
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Did you know...
Every one dollar invested in quality afterschool programs saves taxpayers between $8 and $12 in social and welfare savings.
*Claremont McKenna College
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| Support Afterschool |
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Please consider making a secure, tax-deductible donation to Dallas AfterSchool Network.
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For More Information
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Want to donate, volunteer or get involved with Dallas afterschool?
Please contact:
Tanya McDonald
Executive Director
214-306-8400 x802
ww.dasn.org
P.O. Box 603051, Dallas, TX 75360 | |
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