Event illuminating the need to support after school programs in Whitley County and beyond
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Pulling on the straps of his backpack, a young boy makes his way down the aisle as the brakes on the bus pull the yellow diesel machine to a stop. The doors swing open and he’s on his own…for the next hour and a half.
Walking up the driveway toward home, he contemplates a million options for the remainder of the afternoon. He is supposed to go straight inside, lock the door and do his homework. But, without anyone in charge until his parents get home, will anyone know otherwise? Would it hurt to take a walk down to the creek? Or maybe go to the store down the street and buy some candy?
Unfortunately, it is these seemingly inconsequential changes in the routine or the hours void of supervision that can open the door for major problems down the line.
The Whitley County Family YMCA is participating in the annual Lights On After School event October 22 from 6-7:30 p.m.
“It is an event that takes place all across the nation and we are in our eighth year of being a part of the event,” said Jacie Stahl, director of school age childcare for the Whitley County Family YMCA.
“It’s basically a rally to help send the message that after school is key to a kid’s success and that we must keep the lights on after school and the doors open,” Stahl said.
The purpose is to highlight the importance of after school programs, including sports and extracurricular activities offered by schools and programs that result from collaborations between schools and organizations such as the YMCA.
Students who participate in after school activities are more likely to excel in school, have better peer relationships, are more emotionally balanced, less likely to use drugs and less likely to become teen parents – all good reasons to support after school programs wherever they exist.