By Olivia Ross
Baseball practice becomes a lesson in perseverance. A camera gives a student the tools to explore a creative passion. A board game opens the door to conversations about friendship and empathy.
Across Hamilton County, out-of-school time programs give young people opportunities to learn, build relationships, and discover what they are capable of.
On October 22, communities across the country celebrated Lights On Afterschool, a nationwide event recognizing the role afterschool and out-of-school time programs play in the lives of young people and their families. In Hamilton County, local organizations marked the occasion with visits to afterschool programs on October 21 and 22, bringing community leaders and local partners into the programs to see their work firsthand. The six host sites included Boys & Girls Clubs of Chattanooga, Girls Inc. of Chattanooga, The Centenary, Songbirds, Southside Youth Development, and YMCA’s Community Action Project (Y-CAP).
At Southside Youth Development, developing skills starts on the baseball field. Students practice alongside coaches and mentors who teach more than the fundamentals of the game. They learn to follow instructions, work through mistakes, and encourage one another. After practice, students head inside for tutoring, where coaches help with reading, vocabulary, and math assignments.
For Arian Williams, a 10th grader at The Howard School, the welcoming environment helped him find his place in the program.
“I wasn’t even that good at baseball, but the good energy from everyone, it made me feel comfortable and welcomed,” Williams said. “After seeing that, I really just started giving into the sport and to the team.”
Now, Williams helps younger students with their homework after practice, serving as a mentor himself.
During the visit, Judge Rob Philyaw of Hamilton County Juvenile Court met with students and instructors and stayed to help a student during the study session. Beka Bohannon of the Hamilton County Health Department and Dr. Caitlyn Steward of Hamilton County Schools also joined the visit. Bohannon even stepped up to bat, drawing on her own experience playing softball.
At Y-CAP, students receive academic support and mentorship while exploring interests through activities such as puzzles, music, woodworking, ceramics, and boxing. During the visit, students worked alongside adults who helped them with homework and assignments.
Tahme’Sha Washington of Boys & Girls Clubs of Chattanooga and Veronica McGraw of the City of Chattanooga’s Community Development division joined the visit to meet with Y-CAP leaders, tour the facility, and see the program in action.
For Eric Norman, an early Y-CAP participant, the program’s influence has extended well beyond his time as a student. Once afraid of the water, Norman participated in swim clinics through the IRONMAN Foundation and Y-CAP. Today, he is a lifeguard at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga and serves as a leader for younger participants.
“The program meant a lot to me, especially growing up as a little kid. I grew up around so many good people,” Norman said. “I’m still coming to this day. Now I have a job, they helped me get my license and helped me get my first car.”
At Songbirds, students explore the creative industries through hands-on experiences with music, photography, and other creative tools. They learn from professionals in those fields and have access to equipment that helps them develop their skills.
Sixteen-year-old Hamadi Moya is using those resources as he builds his own photography and videography business.
“I feel like Songbirds as a whole is a good resource for me,” Moya said. “Starting out, I didn’t really know how to do these things. I feel like if I found Songbirds earlier, I would have been able to develop my skill much quicker and definitely more efficiently.”
During the visit, Hannah Spear and Cameron Hobbs-McAllister with the City of East Ridge toured the facility, spent time with students, and watched as they practiced music production.
At the Boys & Girls Club, students gathered around the center, working on homework, socializing, and enjoying each other’s company. One group played an educational board game focused on manners, emotions, friendship, and empathy, while another helped one another with homework assignments.
These visits highlighted the many ways out-of-school time programs support young people across Hamilton County and the people who make those experiences possible.
The celebration was also marked by proclamations issued by Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly and Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp, acknowledging the role of out-of-school time programs in the community. That evening, several local landmarks and community spaces were illuminated in support of Lights On Afterschool. Participating partners included the Creative Discovery Museum, Hunter Museum, Ruby Falls, Rock City, Tennessee Aquarium, The Block, Miller Plaza, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Library.
While each program offers something different, the visits highlighted the importance of showing up for young people. Whether it’s a coach offering guidance, a mentor helping with homework, or an industry professional sharing a creative skill, those relationships help young people see what’s possible. We’re grateful to the providers who welcomed us into their spaces and to everyone who took time to visit, listen, and engage with their work.
Explore the Out-of-School Time Program Locator to learn more about local programs and find opportunities across Hamilton County.
