Resources
AFTER SCHOOL RESOURCES & RELATED LINKS
Type in your address and see what out-of-school programs are available to students in your area. This website lists activities offered through 5 agencies in
Chicago Communities In Schools (CCIS) is a unique organization that works to connect Chicago public school students and their families with existing social services to address critical unmet needs. CCIS brokers resources for the formation of effective community service partnerships that can enrich public school students’ academic and social experiences. Chicago Middle School Debate League (chicagodebateleague.wordpress.com) A partnership between the Chicago Public Schools Office of High Schools and High School Programs, the Office of Student Support and Engagement (OSSE), the Chicago Debate Commission, and After-School All-Stars has created a Middle School Conference within the Chicago Debate League. Find out more about participating schools, coaches, and upcoming events at the link above. Chicago Park District (www.chicagoparkdistrict.com) The Chicago Park District offers an after-school program for grade school children, ParkKids, which engages students in active play and provides quiet time for homework during the hours before parents get off work. Chicago Public Libraries offers a variety of after-school programs for young people. Visit the website for Donors Choose (www.donorschoose.org) At this not-for-profit website, teachers submit project proposals for materials or experiences their students need to learn. These ideas become reality when concerned individuals, whom we call Citizen Philanthropists, choose projects to fund. Materials can be used in before- and after-school programs as well as for in-school activities. Action for Children (www.actforchildren.org) Action for Children (formerly Daycare Action Council of Illinois) is an alliance of individuals and groups committed to advancing the quality and accessibility of childcare. This site provides news and information, including the latest fax alerts, professional development opportunities, and childcare providers, as well as childcare financial assistance eligibility. The organization also houses the The Illinois Afterschool Partnership is a statewide coalition of public and private entities with a vested interest in after school. The mission of this group is to raise awareness about the importance of after-school programs, promote best practices, and advocate for expanded access and increased coordination of after-school programs throughout the state. The Partnership recently released a report on after-school issues in This site is a good source of information on the state’s education budget, legislation, programs, and other related information and resources. Tutor/Mentor Connection (www.tutormentorconnection.org) The Tutor/Mentor Connection sponsors after-school programs where students can connect with adults, learn skills, be safe, and find the support to help them climb the ladder to a career. Voices for Voices for Illinois Children is a nonprofit, non-partisan, state-wide group of child advocates whose organizational mission is to give every child in Illinois the opportunity to succeed. The organization works on issues such as education, health, and family economic security. The website includes information on professional development opportunities and state policy updates, and offers free publications online.
National Organizations After School All-Stars (www.afterschoolallstars.org) The mission of After School All-Stars (formerly Inner City Games Foundation) is to provide opportunities for inner-city youth to participate in sports, educational, cultural and community enrichment programs; to build confidence and self-esteem; and to say "no" to gangs, drugs and violence and "yes" to hope, learning and life. After School All-Stars (ASA) is a decentralized organization with dedicated people running their own local programs and raising funds locally to support both summer and year-round, after-school programs. While sports competitions and clinics are the core of ASA programs, ASA believes in a "strong body" and "strong mind" and, therefore, offers a variety of computer, educational, cultural and entrepreneurial programs. Afterschool This website provides up-to-date news on after-school policy as well as tools and materials that can be used in presentations and meetings. It also has information about starting an after-school program, finding funding for after-school programs and how to get involved in the issue. Additionally, the website offers various tools to help communities develop and expand after-school programs. Check out “Start a Program” and “Program Tools.” Center for Collaborative Education (http://www.ccebos.org) The mission of the Center for Collaborative Education (CCE) is to improve student learning in K-12 public schools and districts by promoting educational reform that is focused on school and system-wide change. The Center seeks to influence the larger public’s view on education to better support change that fosters democratic and equitable schools. The Center for Collaborative Education’s goal is to be a resource and catalyst for the creation of autonomous and flexible schools. Center for Social and Emotional Education (www.csee.net) This is a nonprofit, international organization that helps youth prepare for healthy, responsible and productive lives by using social and emotional education to help transform problems into opportunities. It also provides parents and educators with resources and tools that promote social and emotional skills and knowledge in our children and adolescents. Center for Youth Development & Policy Research (http://cydpr.aed.org) The Center’s mission is to shift the public debate from youth problems to youth development. At the core of their work are three basic tenets: positive outcomes should be defined and monitored as well as negative outcomes, a full range of youth’s academic and social competencies should be developed, and attention must be paid to both the content and the context in which youth learn. The Children’s Aid Society (www.childrensaidsociety.org) Over the past 10 years, the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) has partnered with public schools in Coalition for Community Schools (www.communityschools.org) The Coalition for Community Schools brings together local, state, and national organizations that represent individuals and groups engaged in creating and sustaining community schools. The Coalition offers numerous tools and publications, most of which can be accessed via the Internet, regarding the development and implementation of community schools. Communities in Schools (www.cisnet.org) Communities in Schools (CIS) is the nation’s leading community-based organization helping students succeed in school and prepare for life. CIS partners with families, schools and community leaders to create a support system for students. They work in partnership with public schools – principals, superintendents, teachers and administrators. Foundations Inc. (www.foundationsinc.org) Foundations Inc. sponsors the National After School Association (formerly NSACA) (www.naaweb.org) The National After School Association (NASA) is the only national membership organization representing the entire array of public, private, and community-based providers of after-school programs. NASA promotes national standards of quality school-age care for children and youth, 5-14 years old, and grants accreditation to programs meeting the standards. This is the national National Institute on Out-of-School Time (www.niost.org) The National Institute on Out-of-School Time focuses on research, policy and practice in their efforts to ensure that all children, youth, and families have access to high-quality programs, activities, and opportunities during the non-school hours |