Family Needs Assessment
We need YOUR voice to shape the future of afterschool and summer programs for our youth. This is your chance to make a real impact and ensure that ALL kids have access to exciting, enriching opportunities when school’s out.
Take a few minutes to complete our quick survey and help us create the best programs for our community. Let’s work together to make SUMMER and AFTERSCHOOL unforgettable for every child! Your input matters – don’t miss out!
benefits of afterschool involvement
Children spend 80% of their waking hours beyond school. How do we collectively make those hours count? After-school and summer programs offer invaluable benefits to children by providing enriching experiences beyond traditional classroom hours. They also contribute to the holistic development of students by fostering social skills, teamwork, and self-confidence through diverse activities such as sports, arts, and college and career readiness.
youth violence prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identify 6 major strategies to prevent youth violence. One of the strategies identified is connecting youth to caring adults and activities which includes mentoring and after school programs. The CDC states “After-school programs provide opportunities for youth to strengthen their social and academic skills and become involved in school and community activities to expand their prosocial experiences and relationships.These approaches also address key risk and protective factors for youth violence by helping to provide supervision during critical times of the day, such as from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. when youth crime and violence peak.”
research and resources
Youth Success Summit has gathered research articles and resources that support families in making informed decisions about out of school time programming for their child. Families are encouraged to explore the following sites for more information on the best ways to keep children growing!
featured program
Quiet Thoughts Matter is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting emotional wellness through creative expression, education, and community connection. We serve youth and adults in Akron and surrounding communities by offering inclusive, culturally responsive programs that center mental health beyond traditional talk therapy. Our work is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves safe spaces to process their “quiet thoughts” through mindfulness, movement, art, and meaningful conversation. QTM exists to break the silence around emotional struggles and empower individuals to heal, grow, and live in peace.
