By now, mid-October afterschool programs are moving along at a good pace. Children and staff know established routines, relationships have been formed, and we are rapidly moving toward the holiday season. This is a time to bring together the community, create connections and opportunities beyond the program, and recognize the place your program has within the community, as a hub. 

A few weeks ago, there was a spider in my yard. They had strung themselves between the grill canopy and a post. Their intricate web flexed in the breeze as the spider sat in the middle being supported by the web, through all of the points of connection underneath where they sat. That is afterschool, the more robust and connected partnerships are, the stronger the web of support. 

As the holidays and winter months near, have you thought about what your program can do to help families through. What do local food pantries need? Mittens, sweaters, scarves? Can you get your program connected to community services such as meal centers or senior programming? Providing a broad range of opportunities for children and families to become involved in, or get support from, allows programs to reach their full potential as partners within the communities we serve as afterschool professionals. 

Using the 25th Annual Lights on Afterschool celebration October 24th to highlight the importance of afterschool and summer programs is one way to engage larger community-wide conversations. How are partners and programs working together? What possible collaborations are being left on the table and how can you pursue them?

Taking time now, while the program is running relatively smoothly to reflect on the purpose, impact, and reach your program has within your community can bear positive results on multiple levels. Investing in relationships and partnerships to create connections and opportunities helps to expand learning for everyone involved.