Pocono News Section

Lights On After School Campaign

Lights On After School Campaign - Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 5:16PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Thursday, Oct 22, 2009 @ 05:16pm EDT
Williamsport, Lycoming County-

Statistics concerning after-school childcare are startling. Studies show more and more kids are being left alone.

According to those studies, the afternoon hours of 3:00-6:30 are the most dangerous in terms youth getting into trouble.

The Lights On After School Awareness Campaign held Thursday night at Curtin Middle School hopes to solve that.

Williamsport Salvation Army Major Marie Harris said, "The mayor will be there and the superintendent of schools will also speak at that time. There'll be games, there'll be activities, crafts, and also pizza."

The awareness campaign aims to continue state and federal funding for local after-school programs.

Williamsport Area School District offers a middle school program, but recently lost funding at the elementary level.

W. A.S. D. Program Coordinator Stephanie Pardoe noted, "Without them, there's a lot of families out there that just don't have after-school care and therefore these kids are out in the community without much guidance."

The after-school initiatives are also offered at social service agencies like the Campbell Street Center and the Salvation Army. But without financial help, those programs could disappear too.

Organizers of the meeting are also stressing other ways people can help- namely by volunteering their time and talents.

Campbell Street Center Arts and Education Coordinator Angela Cicioni added, "We're looking for folks who feel they have a good knack with children, who are looking to make a difference in the community, and in the lives of the children."

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