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- In America today, 1 in 4 youth --14.3 million children, among them are more than 40,000 kindergartners --are alone and unsupervised after school (America After 3 p.m., May 2004).
- Between the hours of 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. juveniles are at the highest risk of violence.
- Teens who do not participate in after school programs are nearly three times more likely to skip classes than teens who do participate. They are also three times more likely to use marijuana or other drugs, and they are more likely to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes and engage in sexual activity. (YMCA of the USA, March 2001).
- The hours between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. are the peak hours for juvenile crime and experimentation with drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and sex. (Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, 2002).
- The most common activity for children after school is watching television - on average 23 hours a week. (A.C. Nielsen and Company, 1992.
- Students who spend no time in extracurricular activities are 49% more likely to have used drugs and 37% more likely to have become teen parents compared to students who spend one to four hours per week in extracurricular activities. (U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Adolescent Time Use, Risky Behavior and Outcomes: An analysis of National Data, 1995).
- Teens who do not participate in after school programs are three times as likely to skip classes during the school day and participate in the use of marijuana.
- Students in quality after school programs have better academic performance, behavior, school attendance, and greater expectations for the future (U.S. Departments of Education and Justice, 2000).
- After school programs have the power to reduce crime, increase safety, bring neighbors together, and foster community pride and ownership. Programs help youth succeed in providing academic support and the chance to form meaningful relationships with adults of their community by encouraging them to get involved in the neighborhood through service projects.
Don't let your child become a statistic. Join the Upper Darby Community Outreach Corporation for another year of the after school program After School Blast.
This isn't your typical after school program. Children who attend will receive homework help, club activities, daily snacks, participate in service projects, have game time, go on field trips and much more. This program is also aligned with the Upper Darby School District Curriculum.
This Monday-Friday program is held at Christ Lutheran Church, 7240 Walnut Street, Upper Darby, PA. Blast has service available (at no additional cost) on in-service days and early-dismissal days.
Space is limited, call 610-352-7037 to register your child TODAY.
