Post on social media, local parent and community boards, newsletters – any place where community members might see it. Tag your Congressional representatives so they see it. Sample posts and graphics:

• The President’s budget calls for eliminating dedicated federal funding for local afterschool and summer programs. 1 in 5 children may lose their programs nationwide. If you want to keep afterschool and summer programs, tell Congress to keep federal funding safe! Send a message to Congress: http://www.afterschoolforamerica.org #AfterschoolWorks
  
  
• Do you count on afterschool programs to keep kids safe and engaged? Local programs serving 1.4 million youth nationwide may close if Congress does not act - the President’s budget cuts federal funding for local afterschool and summer programs. Programs run by schools, community organizations, parks and rec centers, and more will suffer. Tell Congress to save afterschool and keep kids protected. http://www.afterschoolforamerica.org #AfterschoolWorks
  
  
• 1 in 5 children nationwide may lose their afterschool programs if Congress does not stop the President’s call to cut all dedicated federal funding for local afterschool and summer programs. These community programs, directed and run by local entities, keep kids safe and learning. Kids in afterschool do better in school, achieve higher levels of education, and earn more as adults. Parents get peace of mind and a stronger ability to provide for their families. Tell Congress to save afterschool! http://www.afterschoolforamerica.org #AfterschoolWorks

Educate families about what’s at risk and encourage them to take action.

• Ask families to email Congress. Include a note in your emails or on social posts asking families to contact Congress:
  • Kids and families across our state may lose their afterschool and summer programs if Congress agrees to the federal proposal to cut all funding for local programs. As many as 1 in 5 youth may be affected, including kids and programs in our state. Please take a moment to use this Action Center to have an email sent to our Congressional representatives reminding them how important our programs are. 3to6.co/Congress
    
• Collect postcards or letters. Distribute postcards or letter templates families can fill out with a personal note and their information. Deliver the messages to the local offices of your Congressional representatives.
  • Mail the letters or hand deliver them – along with an invite to visit your program!

TIP: Make it fun! Consider running a contest or setting a goal and prize around the number of letters collected/sent.

There’s no better way to showcase the power and value of afterschool than showing people first hand. Invite your representatives in Congress and their staff to come visit your program. You do not need to get the Member of Congress there – having one of their staff join can be incredibly powerful. Our site visit toolkit helps you each step of the way, from preparing and planning, to drafting invitations, to following up after a great visit!

Let media know that afterschool and summer programs are at risk.

• Send a letter to the editor (we will post a template soon).
• If your program receives federal funds, like a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, alert local education reporters, bloggers, and community boards about the prospect of your program closing.
• More media tips on the Afterschool Alliance website

• National Afterschool Fact Sheet: This Is Afterschool, 2025
• 21st CCLC Fact Sheet, 2025
• Make the case: New Brief on the impact of afterschool and summer 21st CCLC funding
• Get the facts: Recent evaluations of 21st CCLC programs
• Polling Data on support
• Economic Benefits of Afterschool

See more research at afterschoolalliance.org.