Each year, tens of thousands of American teenagers are arrested for shoplifting, drug use, and other offenses. Nearly a third of these crimes are committed on weekdays, in the hours immediately following school. In two-thirds of U.S. households with married couples and children under age 18, both parents find they have to work outside of the home. In large part, too many children have no structured and safe alternatives to unsupervised and possibly dangerous situations. Children are not only at risk of harming themselves.
Research shows that juvenile violence increases dramatically during afterschool hours.
By contrast, students involved in afterschool programs exhibit fewer behavioral problems, better ability to handle conflicts, and improved self-confidence. Studies show that afterschool programs improve student attendance and cut dropout rates. A new education initiative that is taking root in communities across the nation is tackling this issue head-on. One such program in Fort Collins provided swimming lessons for children at greater risk for incidents like the one that almost cost Bernadette Laureless her life. The 21 st CCLCs are structured afterschool programs designed to put and keep kids on the path to achievement.