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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Afterschool Alliance announced that Jenn Carter, 21st century program director for the Lewiston Public Schools, has been selected to serve as a 2018-2019 afterschool ambassador.
Carter is one of 15 leaders in the country who was chosen for the honor this year.
Each afterschool ambassador will continue leading a local afterschool program while also serving a one-year afterschool ambassador term, organizing public events, communicating with policy makers and in other ways growing awareness and support for afterschool and summer learning programs.
“We’re thrilled that Carter will serve as an Afterschool Ambassador this year,” said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant. “Now more than ever, with federal funding for quality afterschool and summer learning programs under attack, we need strong advocates like her. She will mobilize parents, educators and business, community and faith leaders, among others, to help safeguard funding for the afterschool programs that keep kids safe, inspire them to learn and help give working families peace of mind. These programs offer hands-on learning opportunities, homework help, mentors, science and technology, healthy snacks and meals, sports and fitness, arts programming, college and job prep, and much more.”
“I am delighted to join in the Afterschool Alliance’s work to build support for afterschool programs,” said Carter. “In my 15 years working in the field, I’ve seen over and over again the extraordinary difference that afterschool makes in the lives of young people in Maine and across the country. They help students explore their interests and discover their passions, while giving parents the security that comes from knowing their children are safe and supervised, with opportunities to learn and grow, after the school day ends. I look forward to building support for the out-of-school-time opportunities all students need.”
The Lewiston 21st Century program is an afterschool and summer program run through the Lewiston Public Schools, which serves approximately 750 children each year at six Lewiston schools: Geiger, Longley, Martel, McMahon, Lewiston Middle School and Lewiston High School.
The program is funded through federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding. The program includes homework help, academic enrichment (including cooking, dance, robotics, theater, and more!), and leadership development for Lewiston students in grades K-12. Each Ambassador will organize a major event for Lights On Afterschool, the Afterschool Alliance’s annual rally for afterschool, to be held on October 25 this year.
Last year, 1 million people participated in some 8,000 Lights On Afterschool events across the United States and at U.S. military bases worldwide.
