CalSAC's 5th Annual CA Afterschool Challenge a Huge Success!
On Monday, May 11th and Tuesday, May 12th over 200 professionals, youth, and families gathered in Sacramento
at CalSAC's 5th Annual California Afterschool Challenge to celebrate
10 years of state funded afterschool and to urge the
Legislature to continue to support critical afterschool
and school-age care programs. This year's new two day event consisted of advocacy education
and training on day one and a lively rally and legislative
visits on day two.
CalSAC's CA Afterschool Challenge aimes to empower afterschool
and school-age care professionals,
youth, and families to engage in grassroots advocacy
statewide and locally. We are excited to announce that
this was the most successful event to date thanks to
the generous contribution from the League of California Afterschool Providers and all our supporters! Please read below for a recap
of the event.
Click Here to read more about the supporters of this year's event.
Click Here to view photos of the event.
Policy & Advocacy Education and Skill Building
Day one was fast paced and exciting. It included multiple
educational advocacy events designed for a wide range
of participants from middle school youth to experienced
advocates. During the lunch plenary, participants were
greeted by a panel of
legislative staff from Assemblymember Torlakson's office, Senator Steinburg's office, and the Assembly Education Committee. This
panel provided a great opportunity for participants
to gain a better understanding of the legislative process
from the view of staff.
The core events of the day were the new Policy & Advocacy Training Tracks. This year, CalSAC offered
three training tracks designed to the meet the needs
of youth advocates, emerging advocates and experienced
advocates. Each track helped to develop participants' skills and prepared them to advocate for afterschool
and school-age care in Sacramento and locally. Facilitators of
the training tracks included partners from the Bay Area Partnership for Children & Youth, the CA Afterschool Network, Children NOW, the League of CA Afterschool Providers, the Southern CA Teen Coalition, and the Youth Development Peer Network.
The day commenced with two networking social events,
one designed
with interactive activities just for youth participants.
We thank the Bay Area Partnership for Children & Youth and the Press-Dawnson Family for sponsoring these events. Both were
a great success and a wonderful way to conclude the
eventful day.
Click Here to download CalSAC's Advocacy Guide.
Click Here to view the factsheets provided
to participants.
Click Here to find out more about event facilitators and speakers.
Advocacy and Action at the Capitol
On day two, participants met with team members to prepare
for their scheduled legislative visits
at the Capitol. Team Leaders helped ensure participants
were ready to share their story about the impact of
afterschool and school-age care. After breakfast, everyone gathered to march
to the Capital. With signs, banners and balloons in
hand, participants were greeted at the steps of the
Capitol by a performance from the John Reith All Star Marching Band and Color Guard. The rally consisted of short speeches from advocates
and legislators. After the rally, the teams of eager
advocates began their legislative visits.
This year,
CalSAC scheduled an unprecedented number of visits,
keeping each team very busy throughout the day and
ensuring all members of legislature heard directly
from parents, youth, and professionals in the field.
Click Here to read more about the CA State Assemblymembers.
Click Here to read more about the CA State Senators.
Speakers and Special Guests
This year CalSAC highlighted the successes of two programs
that we hope will further inspire all participants
to become advocates for afterschool and school-age care. Juliana Posada and Chris Bongardt from the Circle of Sisters spoke passionately about the importance of afterschool
in their
community during the lunch plenary. The John Reith All Star Marching Band and Color Guard's performance and comments by Ms. Q and drum major captain,
Isaiah Abram, on the Capitol steps helped to excite
and invigorate participants. Over 45 youth from both programs participated in legislative
visits throughout the day.
Many legislators also joined us at this year's event to express their continued support for afterschool
and school-age care. Assemblymember Torlakson joined participants for breakfast on Tuesday and delivered
a motivational keynote speech. CalSAC recognized
Assemblymember Torlakson and the Legislature for 10 years of supporting afterschool programs. Assemblymembers
Saldana, Buchanan and Skinner; and Senators DeSaulnier and Leno all addressed the
crowd at the Capitol steps during the rally.
Click Here to view a video of Senator DeSaulnier addressing participants
at the rally.
Click Here to read more about the Circle of Sisters and the John
Reith All Star Marching Band &
Color Guard.
Building a Movement
CalSAC's CA Afterschool Challenge is your chance to advocate
for the afterschool and school-age field, learn more about policy, build valuable
advocacy and leadership skills, and get empowered to
create change! We encourage you to continue your advocacy
efforts at home to ensure your elected officials never
forget the impact that critical afterschool and school-age care programs have on your community. Together
we can work to ensure afterschool and school-age care is accessible to all Californians!
Refer to CalSAC's Advocacy Guide for tools and resources to help you in your efforts
to create change. For support, please contact the CalSAC
office at 415-957.9775 or email Ruth at ruthoj@calsac.org.
Click Here to view more photos of the event.
