Kentucky celebrates Lights On Afterschool Oct. 22
Annual celebration highlights programs supporting students and working families, while drawing attention to unmet demand
The Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance (KYOSA) is highlighting afterschool programs across the commonwealth as part of Lights On Afterschool, a nationwide celebration on Thursday, Oct. 22, recognizing the opportunities these programs create for students and the support they provide working families.
Now in its 27th year, Lights On Afterschool brings together students, families, educators and community leaders to celebrate learning beyond the school day. Organized by the Afterschool Alliance, this year’s national celebration is expected to include approximately 8,000 events.
In Kentucky, KYOSA is promoting local celebrations through statewide media outreach, to hold up the depth and diversity of programs across the state.KYOSA is also highlighting and supporting youth development work this year by raffling off a Family STEM Night with Mr. Science for Kentucky programs that register for Lights On Afterschool.
STEM afterschool programs are integral to young people’s growth and help build a strong workforce here in Kentucky. Kentucky is making great strides in this area: in 2014, 72 percent of Kentucky parents reported access to STEM in their afterschool programs, and that number has risen to 91 percent today. At KYOSA, we want to support that momentum.
“Afterschool programs give Kentucky students a place to belong, discover their interests and build skills that will serve them throughout their lives,” said Kathleen Kelly, Director of KYOSA. “For working parents, they also provide the reassurance of knowing their children are safe and supported after the school day ends. Lights On Afterschool is an opportunity to celebrate that work and recognize how many more families need access to it.”
The need in Kentucky is substantial. According to the Afterschool Alliance’s 2025 America After 3PM survey, parents of approximately 346,000 Kentucky children want afterschool programs for their children, but only about 57,000 children are enrolled. Cost, availability and accessibility prevent many families from participating.
Among Kentucky parents whose children attend an afterschool program, 92% rate their program as excellent or very good. Nearly nine in 10 Kentucky parents favor public funding for afterschool opportunities.
Programs can offer homework help, hands-on science activities, arts, recreation, mentoring and opportunities to develop teamwork and leadership skills. Lights On Afterschool gives communities a chance to see those experiences firsthand and learn more about the people and partnerships that make them possible.
“Every Kentucky child should have opportunities to keep learning and growing beyond the classroom,” Kelly said. “We encourage families, businesses and community leaders to connect with their local programs, see their impact and help expand those opportunities to more students.”
As we look ahead to 2027, KYOSA is supporting a statewide workgroup of youth-focused programs to ensure the social media settlement funds coming to Kentucky are used for positive youth development programs, like those highlighted in Lights On Afterschool. Kentucky’s youth development workforce does amazing work to enrich and elevate our young people, and we have an incredible opportunity to keep that investment going.
Afterschool providers can register their celebrations, and families and community members can find participating events, at www.afterschoolalliance.org/loa.cfm. To learn more about KYOSA and its work across Kentucky, visit www.kyosa.org.
About the Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance
The Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance works to ensure Kentucky’s school-age children have access to quality programs before school, after school and throughout the summer. Learn more at www.kyosa.org.
