FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 25, 2024

Chattanooga, TN — In partnership with Chattanooga 2.0’s Out-of-School Time Alliance, the City of Chattanooga, Creative Discovery Museum, Hunter Museum of American Art, River City Company, Rock City, Frost Stadium, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga illuminated local landmarks on October 24, 2024, to join a national celebration of Lights On Afterschool, which reminds residents of the essential role that afterschool programs play in local communities. In addition, Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp and City of Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly both proclaimed October 24, 2024 as Lights On Afterschool Day.

Chattanooga 2.0 and its Out-of-School Time Alliance recently launched a Program Locator to support Hamilton County Schools educators and families as they connect students to local afterschool programs. Other members of the network are partnering with Chattanooga 2.0 to implement new curricula to support literacy, STEM, and early career exploration.

The illuminated landmarks were part of a national celebration of Lights On Afterschool, which commemorates the irreplaceable impact that afterschool programs make on students and their families. There are approximately 8,000 Lights On Afterschool events taking place across the nation this month to emphasize the importance of keeping the lights on and the doors open after school. The Afterschool Alliance reports that afterschool and summer programs support working parents, keep children safe, and improve outcomes in school

School-age children spend 80% of their waking hours outside of school, so it is imperative that families, educators, providers, and community leaders work together to ensure children have access to high-quality, affordable out-of-school time programming. Chattanooga 2.0’s Out-of-School Time Alliance is a network of more than 40 providers in Hamilton County who serve children outside of traditional school hours. Members meet monthly to coordinate and align strategies with each other and Hamilton County Schools with the goal of increasing participation and effectiveness in out-of-school time programs while also elevating their impact on students, families, and the community at large.

“Lights On Afterschool is a powerful reminder that afterschool programs across Hamilton County offer critical support to children and families. We can – and should – work together to ensure that every child who needs an afterschool program has access to one,” said Brandon Hubbard-Heitz, Director of Literacy and Student Strategy at Chattanooga 2.0.

“At Creative Discovery Museum, we are proud to participate as a trusted out-of-school time provider alongside many other committed organizations in Chattanooga and the region. We partner with parents and caregivers so that kids can explore, innovate, create, and play even after the school day- or the school year- comes to an end,” said Claire Stockman, Vice President of Education at Creative Discovery Museum.

Photos of the illuminated facilities and landmarks as well as proclamations from Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp and City of Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly are available in this Google Drive.

To learn more about Chattanooga 2.0’s Out-of-School Time Alliance and its members, visit chatt2.org/ost.

About Chattanooga 2.0

Chattanooga 2.0 was established in 2016 and is a small nonprofit that works to change systems in order to impact generational changes in Chattanooga and Hamilton County, TN. The ultimate goal is to improve economic opportunity and quality of life — and Chattanooga 2.0 believes education attainment is the first step. From early childhood education to the attainment of a thriving wage career, the small team leads initiatives to remove systemic barriers and provide intentional supports to children, students, and their families. Chattanooga 2.0 convenes and leads community groups such as Early Matters, Great Teachers Great Leaders, the Out-of-School Time Alliance, and the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Children’s Cabinet.

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Austin Cantrell

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