Local Nonprofit Joins Clematis by Night Event to Share Important Message: High Quality Afterschool Programs Matter
Contact:
Katie Jacob – Director of Communications, Prime Time Palm Beach County
561-732-8066 ext. 108
kjacob@primetimepbc.org
West Palm Beach, FL – As part of the City of West Palm Beach’s weekly Clematis by Night event, Prime Time Palm Beach County will share a space alongside local vendors that will include a night of fall fun, while bringing special attention to the importance of high quality afterschool programming for families and our community though Lights On Afterschool. Lights On Afterschool is the nationwide event that celebrates and brings awareness to afterschool programs and the role they play in keeping children safe, inspiring them to learn, and helping working families. This year's event will take place on Thursday, October 26, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
As Florida’s only independent afterschool intermediary working with more than 200 afterschool programs in Palm Beach and Martin counties, Prime Time will give a small taste of the ways it shares resources and activities with afterschool staff that foster high quality programming.
The demand for afterschool programs is far from being met, with 25 million children nationwide waiting for a spot. Here in Florida, 504,759 children participate in an afterschool program, yet 1,485,066 more would be enrolled if a program were available. Further, 97 percent of Florida’s parents are satisfied with their child’s afterschool program. More work needs to be done to meet the great need for afterschool programs that keep Florida’s children safe, inspire them to learn and help working families.
Organized by the Afterschool Alliance, Lights On Afterschool has been celebrated each year since 2000. Youth and their parents/guardians at the event were able to participate in tons of fun activities before Halloween. Families were able to “trick-or-truck" with first responders in their public works vehicles, go on hayrides, play Halloween games, get their faces painted and more great activities.
“Emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic, our children need more socialization, physical and creative activity, and support for learning available through quality afterschool programs,” said Suzette L. Harvey, president/CEO, Prime Time Palm Beach County. “Our county has so many great afterschool programs to choose from to meet our youths’ needs and interests.”
Prime Time was first conceived in 1996 when key stakeholders in Palm Beach County, Florida, convened to share resources to improve the quality of local afterschool and summer programs. Four years later, in 2000, the group formed a separate non-profit organization, Prime Time Palm Beach County, Inc. The organization was – and still is – dedicated to ensuring that afterschool programs are of the highest quality to keep youth engaged in learning, and on track for academic success and healthy social development.
The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization working to ensure all children have access to quality afterschool programs. More information on the Afterschool Alliance, Lights On Afterschool, and America After 3PM is available at www.afterschoolalliance.org.
Prime Time Palm Beach County is dedicated to helping children and youth to reach their fullest potential in school and life and to help them succeed by strengthening and expanding quality in the out-of-school time field.
About Prime Time Palm Beach County
Prime Time Palm Beach County is a nonprofit organization that provides resources and supports for out-of-school time professionals to develop programs that inspire children to be their best and allow them to thrive socially and academically. Prime Time’s integrated model of services is one of the strongest, most comprehensive and well-respected systems for measuring and improving out-of-school time program quality in the nation. For more information, visit www.primetimepbc.org.
About the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County
Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County, a special district created by Palm Beach County voters, provides leadership, funding, and research on behalf of the county’s children so they grow up healthy, safe and strong. www.cscpbc.org www.everyparentpbc.org
