Captured Event

August, 29 2008 - After School for All Partnership's Back to School Kick off Luncheon

What: A luncheon to raise awareness of a great cause

Where: New Northside Community Center

When: August 29, 2008

Time: 11:30 AM

Ticket Prices: By Invitation

Beneficiary: After School for All Partnership

Host(s): ARCHS

Staff: Jama Dodson - Executive Director of St. Louis for Kids, Ron Jackson - Assistant Director St. Louis for Kids, Wendell Kimbrough - CEO of ARCHS.

Information: Steve Brawley 314-289-5606

Blacktie Photos by: Harry R. Bean

Jama Dodson, ASAP executive director
View all photos

After School for All Partnership's Back to School Kick off Luncheon

On August 29, 2008 at the New Northside Community Center, After School for All Partnership's (ASAP) Back to School Kick off Luncheon celebrated the return and on going expansion of quality after school programs in the City of St. Louis.

In 2007, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay asked ARCHS and St. Louis For Kids to spearhead ASAP to address St. Louis' lack of after school programs. ASAP reports that on a regional basis, there is currently a need for 5,600 more children to be served to meet the national average of 22% access to five day-a-week after school programs.

In its first 16 months, ASAP and its partners have provided more than $3 million in public and private funding to add 2,700 new after school slots to serve students in the City of St. Louis. ASAP programs operate in public and private schools and in community centers.

"Parents want quality after school programs where they know that their children are safe, enriched and active. Unfortunately, only 1 out of 10 children have access to such programs. ARCHS and St. Louis For Kids are uniquely positioned, through ASAP, to increase the supply, access and quality of after school programs in St. Louis," says Mayor Slay.

ASAP is working to add new programs, expand current locations and provide expertise to support existing after school services. ASAP fosters after school services that provides both academic and social support for grade and middle school students. ASAP partners with public and private organizations to secure resources to add the additional 5,600 new after school spaces needed to serve city-based public/private schools and community center locations.

Studies show that quality after school programs keep youth safe, improve school performance and help working families. In St. Louis, there is a critical need for more after school activities to serve the many children and families who currently have no access to non-school hour programs.

ASAP is positioning St. Louis alongside cities such as Baltimore and New York, who are setting the gold standard for offering vibrant after school experiences.

ASAP's Core Elements:
-Academic Support/Enrichment
-Social & Life Skills
-Health & Recreation
-Character Development
-Parent & Family Involvement

ASAP's Community Benefits:
-Supports student's classroom learning
-Enhances teacher and school based curricula
-Provides safe & nurturing environment for students
-Fosters stronger sense of neighborhoods
-Allow parents to work and/or attend school
-Prepares students for lifelong learning
-Reduces youth exposure to risky behaviors & possible victimization

For more information refer to stlasap.org.