Every October, afterschool programs across the country come together for Lights On Afterschool, the only national rally dedicated to celebrating the power and impact of afterschool programs for kids, families, and communities. Since its launch in 2000, the event has grown to more than 8,000 rallies held annually, drawing in nearly one million Americans and generating media coverage nationwide. At the heart of this movement is a sobering reality: 7.6 million children across America are alone and unsupervised after school, and Lights On Afterschool exists to draw urgent attention to that gap and champion the programs working to fill it. This is Kentucky's moment to be part of that national movement. Whether you host a community celebration, invite local officials for a site visit, showcase student work, or organize a fun activity for the kids in your program, every event, big or small, adds to the collective voice for afterschool across the Commonwealth. Getting involved is easy: simply register your event at afterschoolalliance.org and start planning your way to make an impact in your community.

When you host or attend a Lights On Afterschool event, we want to hear about it and help amplify your work! Share your photos, videos, and event updates with KYOSA on social media so we can highlight and uplift what Kentucky programs are doing across all six Congressional districts. Tag us in your posts, send us your flyers and recaps, and let us help tell your story to policymakers, community leaders, and supporters statewide. Together, we can ensure that Kentucky shines brightly on the national stage, demonstrating that our afterschool programs are vibrant, essential, and worthy of continued investment and support.

Find on a Lights On Afterschool Event