(FLINT, Mich. – Oct. 22, 2019) With more than 1 million Americans expected to participate in the 20th annual Lights On Afterschool, YouthQuest will host 12 community events in Flint from Oct. 23 through Oct. 31.
“This is a nationwide rally focused on drawing awareness to the impact that afterschool programs have on students, families and their communities,” said Nefertari Jones, program director of YouthQuest, which is administered by the Genesee Area Focus Fund, a supporting organization of the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce. “By inviting community members to see our program in action, we aim to showcase the many ways that YouthQuest supports students in Flint.”
YouthQuest offers high-quality activities and services focused on six core elements including, academic support; enrichment; physical fitness and healthy behaviors; nutrition and nutrition education; youth development and leadership skill building; and family and community engagement. It is the premier afterschool program and lead partner for expanded learning of the Flint Community Education Initiative, a community-wide strategy to establish schools as neighborhood hubs by providing coordinated on-site services and expanded learning opportunities to support student success, connect families and create vibrant communities.
While Lights On Afterschool will be officially recognized Oct. 24, YouthQuest will celebrate over the course of several days with events scheduled:
Wednesday, October 23
- Freeman Elementary, 4001 Ogema Ave, Flint (4-5:45 p.m.)
Thursday, October 24
- Brownell Elementary, 6302 Oxley Drive, Flint (5-6:30 p.m.)
- Doyle-Ryder Elementary, 1040 N. Saginaw St., Flint (4:45-6:15 p.m.)
- Durant-Tuuri-Mott Elementary, 1518 University Ave., Flint (4:30-6:30 p.m.)
- Eisenhower Elementary, 1235 Pershing St., Flint (4-6 p.m.)
- Neithercut Elementary, 2010 Crestbrook Lane, Flint (4:30-6:30 p.m.)
- Pierce Elementary, 1101 W Vernon Drive, Flint (4:30-6:30 p.m.)
- Southwestern Classical Academy, 1420 W. 12th St., Flint (4-6 p.m.)
Friday, Oct. 25
- Potter Elementary, 2500 N. Averill Ave., Flint (5-6:30 p.m.)
Tuesday, October 29
- Holmes STEM Academy, 6602 Oxley Drive, Flint (5:30-7:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, October 30
- International Academy of Flint, 2820 S. Saginaw St., Flint (4:30-6:30 p.m.)
Thursday, October 31
- Flint Junior High, 2138 W. Carpenter Road, Flint (5-6:45 p.m.)
Lights On Afterschool is organized by the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization, as a way to underscore the need to invest in afterschool programs. According to the organization’s America After 3PM household survey, for every child in an afterschool program today, two more are waiting to get in.
At the state level, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently issued a proclamation designating Oct. 24, 2019 Lights on Afterschool Day.
Additionally, the Michigan After-School Partnership is working with organizations throughout the state to light up landmarks in support of afterschool programs. The Flint Downtown Development Authority, for instance, will temporarily install blue lightbulbs in Saginaw Street’s Vehicle City Arches on Oct. 24.
If you would like to attend one of YouthQuest’s Lights On Afterschool events, please RSVP to or (810) 600-1422.
YouthQuest is made possible through the generous support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and 21st Century Community Learning Centers. For more information, visit www.yquest.org.