Jun 27 Celebrating Out-of-School Time Investment in Harrisburg

(June 27, 2025)

This Bold Voices blog post was written by one of Allies for Children’s partners about a subject that is relevant to their work as well as ours.
Today’s blog was written by:
Karen Dreyer, Executive Director at Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time (APOST).

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In early June, I traveled to Harrisburg with nearly 100 youth, parents, and out-of-school time providers from Allegheny County. We participated in Pennsylvania’s Afterschool Advocacy Day and met with staff or elected officials from 12 districts. It was amazing to watch the youth interact with their elected officials and to listen to the conversations between youth and staff about the importance of out-of-school time programs. We live in times where the word ‘politics’ can make some people shudder, but these interactions reminded me that at its best, politics is “the total complex of relations between people living in society.” In our complex society, we must work together to build a community that is safe, just, and healthy, and that prioritizes investments in young people.

Some of the youth were very comfortable discussing their afterschool programs, whereas others were more hesitant and were happy to observe. It was encouraging to watch one student start the day needing some prompts and guidance to share, but as the day progressed, she became increasingly comfortable discussing what was important to her in her afterschool program. I was especially thrilled to see two students from our region who attend programs at Allegheny Youth Development and Youth Enrichment Services share about how their programs connected them with mentors and changed their lives. It was also inspiring to hear a parent share about the growth she saw in her kids after they attended their afterschool program and how the program allowed her to continue working while knowing that her kids were in a safe place.

The research is clear about the benefits of out-of-school time programs. Kids who consistently participate in afterschool activities show academic success and positive social behaviors. These benefits are not only short-term but also long-term. Research, including a study conducted by Dr. Deborah Vandell of the University of California found that kids who participate in afterschool are stronger learners, earners, and leaders. On my trip to Harrisburg, I saw this research in action. I watched how out-of-school time staff taught kids how to interact in a government setting, and it was clear that this preparation started long before this trip. I watched kids interact with each other in healthy ways and enjoy food and friendship together. Young people used their voices to communicate with legislators why investing in out-of-school time now is so important for their current learning and for their future life success.

In the 2024-25 Pennsylvania budget year, the PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency approved applications for 46 out-of-school time projects through the Building Opportunity through Out-of-School Time (BOOST) grant program, totaling over $11.5 million. While this investment is historic and significant for Pennsylvania, we must continue to maintain and increase these investments. There were 289 eligible applicants for this funding, but only 46 received funding due to budget limitations. The Shapiro-Davis administration has proposed that an additional $10 million be allocated to the BOOST initiative in the 2025-26 budget year for a total investment of $21.5 million. These investments would result in long-term savings. In June 2021, the Pennsylvania Joint State Government Commission issued a report and found that for every dollar invested in afterschool programs, the return on investment is almost $7.00.

We must continue to prioritize young people’s learning and invest in out-of-school time programs that strengthen the lives of young people, their families, and our community. If you want to stay updated on this issue, learn more here.