Title
To recognize October 20, 2011 as "Lights On Afterschool Day" in Columbus, Ohio.
Body
WHEREAS, the citizens of Columbus, Ohio stand firmly committed to quality after school programs and opportunities because they:
Provide safe, challenging, engaging and fun learning experiences to help children and youth develop their social, emotional, physical, cultural and academic skills.
Support working families by ensuring their children are safe and productive after the regular school day ends.
Build stronger communities by involving our students, parents, business leaders and adult volunteers in the lives of our young people, thereby promoting positive relationships among children, youth, families and adults.
Engage families, schools and diverse community partners in advancing the welfare of our children; and
WHEREAS, The Capital Kids Program has provided significant leadership in the area of community involvement in the education and well-being of our youth, grounded in the principle that quality after school programs are key to helping our children become successful adults; and
WHEREAS, Lights On Afterschool, a national celebration of afterschool programs on October 20th, 2011 promotes the critical importance of quality afterschool programs in the lives of children, their families and their communities; and
WHEREAS, more than 28 million children in the U.S. have parents who work outside the home, and 15.1 million children have no place to go after school; and
WHEREAS, many afterschool programs across the country are facing funding shortfalls so severe that they are being forced to close their doors and turn off their lights; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council hereby recognizes October 20, 2011, as "Lights On Afterschool Day" in Columbus, Ohio, and that Columbus City Council enthusiastically endorses Lights On Afterschool and commits our community to engage in innovative afterschool programs and...
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