Every Hour Counts

?? 20 Years, 40 Communities: Growing Our Impact Together! ?? This year, Every Hour Counts is celebrating 20 years of collective impact, strengthening afterschool and summer learning systems nationwide. As we mark this milestone, we are thrilled to welcome 14 new network members, expanding our reach to 40 communities in more than 20 states! Welcome to our newest members: ?? Alexandria Beyond the Classroom (ALX Beyond) – Alexandria, VA ?? Baltimore's Promise – Baltimore, MD ?? Cambridge Agenda for Children Out-of-School Time – Cambridge, MA ?? Chattanooga 2.0 – Chattanooga, TN ?? Columbus Learning Collaborative – Columbus, OH ?? East Side Aligned – East St. Louis, IL ?? Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth and Families – Rockville, MD ?? New Orleans Youth Alliance – New Orleans, LA ?? Partnership for After School Education (PASE) – New York, NY ?? Rural Youth Institute – Maine ?? San Francisco Beacon Initiative – San Francisco, CA ?? Santa Fe Community Educators Network – Santa Fe, NM ?? Youth Success Summit – Akron, OH ?? Youth INC – New York, NY Join us in celebrating these incredible organizations and the collective work we are doing to shape the future of youth development—together. #Afterschool #SummerLearning #EveryHourCounts #youthdevelopment

The countdown is on! Early Bird registration for Better Together: Lighting the Path Forward ends tomorrow—save your spot before March 21 and take advantage of discounted rates! Join us May 14-16 in Minneapolis as we celebrate 20 years of Every Hour Counts and explore what’s next for expanding access, equity, and innovation in afterschool and summer learning. This year’s conference will be full of:? ?? Expert-led workshops on youth voice, policy, racial equity, and system sustainability. ?? Networking with passionate leaders from across sectors. ?? Fresh strategies and insights you can use to transform your work with young people. The future is built together—let’s light the path forward. ?? Register today: https://lnkd.in/ePf2yK5 #EveryHourCounts #Afterschool #YouthDevelopment

Looking for inspiration, resources, and opportunities to fuel your work in OST? Join the Every Hour Counts newsletter and stay connected to the latest stories, tools, and events shaping the field. Whether you’re leading programs, advocating for youth, or building community partnerships, our issues will include: ?? Community Highlights – Uplifting stories from OST leaders driving change. ?? Resources from the Field – Practical tools and insights to support your efforts. ?? Special Events – Opportunities to connect, learn, and grow. ?? Timely News & Opportunities – Stay informed and ready to act. ?? Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gTiwESXz

Don’t miss out! Early Bird registration for Better Together: Lighting the Path Forward ends on March 21—register now to secure your spot. As Every Hour Counts celebrates 20 years of impact, we’re excited to bring you 3 days of connection, learning, and inspiration at our national conference, May 14-16 in Minneapolis, MN. This is your chance to:? ?? Connect with a dynamic community of afterschool, youth development, philanthropy, policy, and education leaders. ?? Participate in 25+ interactive sessions focused on continuous improvement, racial equity, youth voice, and more. ?? Leave inspired with actionable insights to bring back to your community. Ready to light the path forward with us? ?? Register today: https://lnkd.in/ePf2yK5 #EveryHourCounts #Afterschool #YouthDevelopment

State education agencies have taken a role in bolstering local summer learning programs to address pandemic-related learning loss. While each state’s approach is unique, a new Westat report highlights four key ways states can take action and support high-quality summer learning, such as setting a statewide vision and allocating state funding. Read the full report, commissioned by The Wallace Foundation, to learn more: https://lnkd.in/ghU7nYyF

?? New Resource Alert: Roots & Routes – An Interactive Guide to Dallas’ Black Legacy Dallas Afterschool presents Roots & Routes: A Journey Through Dallas’ Black Legacy—a free interactive activity book designed to help young learners explore the rich history of Black leaders, culture, and landmarks in Dallas. With hands-on activities, storytelling, and historical exploration, this guide encourages children to discover the inspiring figures and monumental events that have shaped our community. Perfect for educators, families, and afterschool programs, this resource brings history to life in an engaging way. ?? Download your copy today! → https://lnkd.in/gVBYDijS?

?? Connecting Schools & Youth Programs for STEM Success The NYC STEM Education Network, facilitated by ExpandED Schools, is making big strides in expanding #STEM access for students across the city! Through three district fairs, the network successfully: ? Connected 500+ educators with STEM providers ? Reached 3,500+ students across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens ? Supported 79 schools & Summer Rising sites with mini-grants to foster partnerships These collaborations are breaking down barriers and ensuring all students—regardless of zip code—have access to engaging, high-quality STEM opportunities. When schools and youth programs work together, young people benefit from richer, more immersive learning experiences that prepare them for the future. ?? Check out the full report to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gaXWpuwx?

?? Great News! Early Bird Registration Extended to March 21 ?? The moment you find your people, the magic happens. Just ask Tony Brown, CEO of Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA)—he left the Every Hour Counts National Conference inspired, armed with best practices, and ready to help shape a new afterschool system in LA: ExpandLA. Now, as Every Hour Counts celebrates 20 years of impact, we invite you to experience this same power of connection at Better Together: Lighting the Path Forward, May 14-16 in Minneapolis! This is your opportunity to recharge, learn, and collaborate with leaders in afterschool, youth development, philanthropy, policy, and education—all committed to expanding equitable opportunities for young people. What to Expect: ?? 3 days of interactive workshops across 20+ sessions ?? A focus on continuous improvement, racial equity, policy & advocacy, sustainability, youth voice, and future innovations ?? A chance to bring your team or connect with like-minded peers who share your passion Join us in lighting the path forward—because the future of our work is built together. ?? Register today: https://lnkd.in/ePf2yK5 #EveryHourCounts #Afterschool #YouthDevelopment

Early bird alert! ? Don't miss your chance to secure your spot at the Every Hour Counts National Conference—early bird registration ends February 28. Join us May 14?16, 2025, in Minneapolis, MN, for Better Together: Lighting the Path Forward as we celebrate 20 years of impact and collective progress. This year, our conference is all about unity: bringing together leaders from across communities and the country to ignite change and create a brighter future for young people. What’s in store?? ?? Insightful strategies to strengthen afterschool and summer programs ?? Equity-centered leadership practices ?? Powerful ways to amplify youth voices ?? Building strong systems through policy and advocacy? ?? Networking with changemakers and system builders Light the path forward with us. ?Register now and lock in the lowest rate! ?? Register here: https://lnkd.in/gU4i-fUi #EveryHourCounts #BetterTogether #EarlyBird #YouthVoice