2024 Afterschool Advocacy Day at the Capitol, June 5

More than 250 Students and Advocates Visit the State Capitol to Support Afterschool Programs

Students in afterschool programs from across Pennsylvania were joined by educators, program professionals, community leaders and legislators to share their support and experiences with afterschool programs at the 2024 Afterschool Advocacy Day, June 5, 2024, at the Pennsylvania State Capitol.

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Oluwatomisin, a 12th grader from Pittsburgh, selected for the 2024 Million Girls Moonshot Flight Crew

Pittsburgh 12th Grader Selected to Join Million Girls Moonshot Flight Crew

Congratulations to Oluwatomisin, a 12th grader from Pittsburgh, for being selected as a member of the 2024 Million Girls Moonshot Flight Crew!

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Screenshot of one page of the PSBA article found in the link.

PSAYDN Director Contrell Armor is featured in the “After-school’s not an Afterthought” article in the September/October PSBA Bulletin.

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Million Girls Moonshot logo

Three Pennsylvania Programs Receive Million Girls Moonshot Catalyst Award

Oct. 26, 2023. Each awardee receives a $20,000 grant, training and resources to engage girls and underserved youth in STEM learning that cultivates an engineering mindset.

Read more about the grantees >

Lights On Afterschool graphic

Governor Proclaims Oct. 26 Lights On Afterschool Day

Students Participate in More Than 85 Celebrations Across Pennsylvania

To raise awareness about the need for more afterschool resources, the Afterschool Alliance is hosting the 24th annual Lights On Afterschool (LOA) national rally on Oct. 26. Governor Josh Shapiro proclaimed Oct. 26 as Lights On Afterschool Day in recognition of the important role of afterschool programs in Pennsylvania.

Read more about upcoming LOA celebrations 

Group photo of 2023 Afterschool Ambassadors

PSAYDN Announces 2023-2024 Afterschool Ambassadors

Sept. 11, 2023 – Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) welcomed its 2023-2024 Afterschool Ambassadors to Harrisburg in August to begin their 10-month opportunity.

Read more about our ambassadors >

youth holding homemade poster stating "Afterschool programs make the future bright"

Lieutenant Governor, Legislators and More than 200 Afterschool Advocates Rally to Support Afterschool Programs

Pennsylvania’s Lieutenant Governor, students and legislators from across the state shared their support and experiences with afterschool programs at the 2023 Afterschool Advocacy Day Rally, May 3, 2023, on the Pennsylvania state Capitol steps.

Several speakers shared their support for HB 795, Building Opportunity Through Out-of-School Time (BOOST) legislation which would provide $70 million in state funding for quality afterschool programs.

View full Afterschool Advocacy Day recap and photos

headshot of Contrell Armor

Center for Schools and Communities expanded learning initiative announces new leadership

Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) today announced Contrell Armor as its new director. In this position, Armor will work to promote high-quality afterschool and summer youth development programs through advocacy, capacity building and support for quality initiatives.

Read full new PSAYDN leadership story

Congratulations 2022 PSAYDN Afterschool Champions text, with group high five in background

2022 Afterschool Champions

On Dec. 1, 2022, PSAYDN honored 10 individuals and one organization as Afterschool Champions for outstanding work in developing, supporting and promoting meaningful high quality afterschool or out-of-school time (OST) programs to benefit children, youth and families across Pennsylvania. The annual champion recognitions emphasize the importance of afterschool and summer learning programs in the state. The awards align with PSAYDN’s mission to promote sustainable, high quality out-of-school time youth development programs through advocacy and capacity building to enhance the welfare of Pennsylvania’s children, youth and families.

Learn about our 2022 Afterschool Champions

Media Contacts

PSAYDN at Center for Schools and Communities offers content experts and spokespersons for news and features on out-of-school time and STEM related topics.

For media inquiries, contact:

Kelly Swanson

Communications Manager

[email protected]

717-763-1661, ext. 117

Cell: 717-992-5964