On October 23, 2014, the 15th annual Lights-On Afterschool event, sponsored by the Afterschool Alliance www.afterschoolalliance.org, will be celebrated across the nation.  Afterschool programs are asked to “keep the lights on” after hours by hosting a family, neighborhood or community celebration showcasing the positive impact these programs have on young people and their families.
 
One million Americans and over 7,500 communities nationwide will celebrate the afterschool programs that keep our children and youth safe and expand their horizons through STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), community service, art, and many more engaging activities.
 
In California, a statewide kick-off celebration will be honoring two recipients for the second annual “2014 Lights-On After School Visionary Leadership Award”. This award, from the California Department of Education’s After School Division, is given to outstanding after school program leaders who have worked several years in the field of after school and have demonstrated leadership, innovation, compassion, creativity, resourcefulness, and dedication in operating stellar after school programs.
 
The two honorees are:
 
•Debi Badger, Program Director at Santa Barbara Unified School District, and
•Janet Downey, Program Director at Riverside Unified School District
 
The California Department of Education’s After School Division invites all to join in the celebration in Sacramento, on the North Steps of the State Capitol, Thursday, October 23, 2014, from 10:00am – 1:00pm.