One of the most common and persistent needs for families in rural areas is quality child care. It is a need that affects families across the socioeconomic spectrum when resources are geographically scarce. United Way of the Ocoee Region’s Center for Social Impact, as a hub of Tennessee Afterschool Network, developed this guide from the […]

The Rutherford County After-School Network is wrapping up a great year of professional development, programming, and opportunities for our youth and Hub! We hold bi-monthly professional development meetings for the programs in our hub. Everyone is invited to bring their staff and volunteers in an effort to better educate those working with our youth. We […]

By Kelly D. Drummond, Tennessee’s Afterschool Ambassador High quality afterschool programs increased positive youth development outcomes of the youth we served. High quality programs delivered safe and structured organizational programs with positive social interactions between youth and staff, provided relevant staff training with ongoing professional development, have a clear and defined purpose or mission, offer […]

By Kelly D. Drummond, Tennessee’s Afterschool Ambassador There is an adage, “All politics are local.” I remembered this saying as I recently voted on Super Tuesday. This commentary is not about political parties or voting, but about building relationships and sharing our afterschool perspectives on a local landscape. As I voted on Tuesday, I sincerely […]