Lights on Afterschool

Lights on Afterschool is the only annual nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. The effort has become a hallmark of the afterschool movement and generates media coverage across the country. The events send a powerful message that millions more kids need quality afterschool programs.

Join us on October 20th to celebrate and highlight afterschool programs in Oregon! Check out the different ways you can support below.

Here's how you can celebrate:

  • Participate: Visit the Afterschool Alliance’s Lights On Afterschool website to register your participation-virtual or in-person, and access different ideas and resources to help you celebrate.
  • Plan: Looking for additional resources? View our advocacy toolkit and other resources on our toolkit page!
  • Share: Share your program’s story to OregonASK, to other Afterschool Programs, and to the community:
    • Communicate your program’s value and impact across your digital media platforms: Include your Lights On participation in your newsletter, post photos or stories about your program, Lights On event, youth, and partners on Social Media. Tag @OregonASK and and use hashtags #LightsOnAfterschool
    • Take on the #LightbulbChallenge
    • Strengthen our statewide coalition of afterschool providers by sharing our website, social media, and logo to community members in social media posts (FacebookTwitter) for your Lights On advocacy.
  • Share your support of afterschool programs or how afterschool programs helps your mission to support youth, families, and communities in Oregon.
      • Tell your partners how you’re celebrating Lights On and share how they can show their support in an email or newsletter.
      • Post photos and stories about your partner programs, youth, and communities on social media. Tag @OregonASK and use hashtags #LightsOnAfterschool
      • Take on the #LightbulbChallenge
  • Strengthen our statewide coalition of afterschool providers by sharing our website, social media, and logo to community members in social media posts (FacebookTwitter) for your Lights On advocacy.
  • Share why you support afterschool programs or how afterschool programs has made an impact on you
      • Tell your partners how you’re celebrating Lights On and share how they can show their support in an email or newsletter.
      • Reshare OregonASK and other Lights on social media posts. Tag @OregonASK and use hashtags #LightsOnAfterschool
      • Take on the #LightbulbChallenge
  • Strengthen our statewide coalition of afterschool providers by sharing our website, social media, and logo to community members in social media posts (FacebookTwitter) for your Lights On advocacy.
  • Share your support of afterschool programs or how afterschool programs helps your mission to support youth, families, and communities in Oregon.
      • Tell your partners how you’re celebrating Lights On and share how they can show their support in an email or newsletter.
      • Post photos and stories about your partner programs, youth, and communities on social media. Tag @OregonASK and use hashtags #LightsOnAfterschool
      • Take on the #LightbulbChallenge
  • Strengthen our statewide coalition of afterschool providers by sharing our website, social media, and logo to community members in social media posts (FacebookTwitter) for your Lights On advocacy.
  • Share why you support afterschool programs or how afterschool programs has made an impact on you
      • Tell your partners how you’re celebrating Lights On and share how they can show their support in an email or newsletter.
      • Reshare OregonASK and other Lights on social media posts. Tag @OregonASK and use hashtags #LightsOnAfterschool
      • Take on the #LightbulbChallenge
  • Strengthen our statewide coalition of afterschool providers by sharing our website, social media, and logo to community members in social media posts (FacebookTwitter) for your Lights On advocacy.

Take the #LightbulbChallenge

Take a photo with your youth (in-person or on zoom) or have them take their own photos posing like a lightbulb. You can download our Lights On Zoom backgrounds if you’re meeting virtually. Post the photo(s) to social media with the hashtags #LightsOnAfterschool #LightbulbChallenge

Create Lightbulb Artwork

Have kids create their own lightbulb artwork, or make it a program challenge. Share their lightbulb creations on social media on October 28th using #LightsOnAfterschool and #LightsOnOR
Coloring pages can be found here and here.

Challenge Your Students to a Dance Challenge!!

  1. Have your youth create their own dance to “Light It Up – Remix” by Major Lazer (start at 0:43 seconds). Their dance can be freestyle, or choreographed, make sure to add a light bulb move!
  2. Record and share their dance on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or TikTok. Use these hashtags! #LightsOnAfterschool #LightsOnOR

Other ways to celebrate -

  • Plan an event using these tools and resources
  • Share information about Lights On Afterschool in your program such as these Lights On Afterschool materials, available online

Thank you for all you do to support youth, families and afterschool programs in your community and across Oregon! Let’s help keep the Lights On Afterschool for many years to come!!!

Check out last year's recording of our 9-state virtual townhall

View Governor Kate Brown's Proclamation for Lights on Afterschool 2020!

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