Reimagine the Future of Afterschool:
Building Back Better with Youth and Communities
April 28-30, 2021
Virtual Conference
Youth at Harlem Lacrosse in Boston complete their practice in 2018 with a team activity that fosters collaboration and teamwork. Photo: Mark Curreri Photography, Boston After School & Beyond.

This past year marked the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, a reckoning with systemic racism, and the toll of climate change. Through it all, afterschool systems rose to address every challenge. 

Afterschool intermediaries sprang into action to meet the needs of their communities and foster more just societies. They served as constant lifelines for youth, families, and providers, working to ensure that young people are safe, connected, and continue to have access to high-quality learning opportunities. The afterschool field responded immediately to program and school closures and enacted solutions that served as a source of hope, comfort, and educational, social and emotional development for young people, especially Black, Indigenous and other youth of color. 

Join communities across the county to build back better!
At the 2021 Every Hour Counts National Institute, we’ll gather virtually to reimagine the future of afterschool and what’s possible to engage, empower, and support young people. We’ll explore how to develop community-wide solutions with young people and leaders from across communities.

Join forward-thinking leaders—intermediary leaders, community providers, school district representatives, policymakers, funders, researchers, and youth on April 28-30, 2021, for Reimagine the Future of Afterschool to blaze a path forward. Every Hour Counts network leaders who represent 28 communities, 3,500 school and community partnerships and reach 500,000 young people, will share successes, challenges, strategies, and resources to build stronger learning systems that holistically support children and youth.

Community teams are encouraged to register together; Individuals are also invited. Young people are invited as part of community teams, and for a special event for youth to inform the future direction of the field. 
Join us April 28-30 to: 

  • Get Inspired: Participants will share stories and seek advice with on-the-ground system leaders who represent a diverse range of perspectives. In interactive sessions with passionate speakers, you’ll encounter illuminating perspectives to inform policy and practice in your communities. 

  • Identify Solutions: Engage in strategic conversations with community leaders from across the country to identify solutions that advance the future of afterschool and learning. 
  
  • Advance Racial Equity: Engage in discussions designed to educate, enlighten, and empower action to foster racially equitable systems and dismantle systemic racism. 

  • Make Connections: Interact with creative thinkers and innovators from across the youth development field and foster new collaborations. 
There are a limited number of tickets available, so we encourage you to register as soon as possible. Registration includes access to all event sessions, session recordings, and tools and resources shared in the workshop sessions.  

With questions about the event, please email Jessica Donner.


This event is made possible with support from The Wallace Foundation.
Every Hour Counts is a coalition of citywide organizations that increases access to quality learning opportunities, particularly for underserved students. The organization is a leading voice promoting expanded-learning systems, which provide learning and enrichment through after-school, summer, and other initiatives. Expanded-learning systems help students be more connected to school, build self-confidence, and connect with caring adults, so every student can thrive.