What do afterschool programs do for our youth?

They support academic achievement.
Research reveals that quality afterschool programs improve school attendance, engagement in learning, test scores, and grades. Studies have shown that non-academic activities such as sports, recreation, music, and dance can have a positive impact on academic achievement as well.

They build motivation, confidence and pride.
The interactive, fun, coaching atmosphere of afterschool programs lends itself to building motivation and confidence in students. Afterschool leaders share stories about how students may start out disengaged, but after time they are transformed and proud of what they have accomplished in their afterschool classes.

They create positive peer and adult relationships.
Afterschool offers social and developmental outcomes. Programs focus on developing trust and building relationships, which is a major hurdle for many students. Positive peer and adult relationships carry into the school day and home life. Yet many students struggle with sound relationships.

They heighten personal health, fitness and safety.
Students are not always safe afterschool. Personal health and safety are compromised when there is a lack of effective adult supervision. Afterschool adopts a whole-person approach to developing students. Personal health habits are taught and reinforced, physical activity is encouraged, risky behaviors are addressed, and safety measures are promoted to students.

They develop important life skills.
There are plenty of inventive opportunities in afterschool to develop critical life skills. These skills include teamwork, attitude, cooperation, courtesy, collaboration, patience, problem solving, respect, persuasion, decision making, self-control, positive thinking, communication, conflict management, listening, and organization. CVAF is committed to training afterschool leaders how to teach life skills to their students in a variety of ways.

They foster career, vocation and college readiness.
Countless examples arise from students throughout the Central Valley who indicate that their afterschool programs have inspired them to explore a career, vocation or college track they had not otherwise considered. Programs in robotics, music, dance, arts, technology, community service, film making, fashion & beauty, math, cooking, flight academy, computer graphics and animation excite students in new ways.

They help students make school and community connections.
Any time we help students connect what they learn at school to how they can apply it in the community, we take one step further in equipping them to become good citizens, better workers and future community leaders. Service learning and community outreach is an element of many afterschool programs. Kids do want to make a difference.

They inspire discovery.
Afterschool can inspire discovery in different ways from the regular school day. Students can discover new skills and interests, new people, new dreams, and new ways of looking at life. Hopefully, they will discover a passion for lifelong learning in the process!