Urging Support for Afterschool and Summer Learning Funding in FY 2025

As families and children celebrate at Lights On Afterschool events nationwide this month, take a moment to ask Congress to add their support for afterschool and summer learning.

Congress has passed a continuing resolution funding the government through December 20, 2024, and will be making funding decisions soon on the FY 2025 Labor, HHS, Education spending bill. The House has proposed steep cuts to a number of programs that support afterschool and summer learning, making it critical that your members of Congress hear about the programs that are the utmost priority for your community. Please reach out to your members of Congress to thank them for their past support and call on them to increase funding for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) initiative – the only federal funding stream dedicated to supporting local school and community-based afterschool, before-school, and summer learning programs. Increased funding is also needed for the Child Care Development Block Grant, which can help parents provide school-age afterschool and summer programs to their children. Finally - maintaining and increasing funding for AmeriCorps is vital to support the afterschool and summer learning programs that so many young people and families depend on.

The families of approximately 25 million children are unable to access an afterschool program. A significant funding increase will help programs cover growing costs and meet the nationwide demand for programs. Please take two minutes to send a message to Congress in support of afterschool and summer learning programs.