Senator Thomas McGee & Representative Marie St. Fleur
In March 2007, we began this project as Co-Chairs of the Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time. We looked forward to learning more about what afterschool and out-of-school time programs mean in the lives of young people and their families across the state. Over the course of eight months last year, what we have heard and seen has truly amazed and humbled us. We have traveled hundreds of miles, convened ten public hearings, visited ten different afterschool programs, guided three work groups, and chaired five meetings of the full 36 member Commission. Nearly 500 people came from all walks of life to talk to us about why they care so deeply about this issue.
We encountered several themes that resonated across the state: children and youth describing their participation in afterschool and out-of-school time programs as life changing; dedicated and talented staff struggling to stay in the field on low salaries and uncertain career paths; innovative programs confronting unstable and inadequate funding; and transportation, in particular, presenting significant challenges for families and providers in getting young people to programs.
Finally, the most important and consistent theme that emerged from our work was the power of building relationships. The ability of staff to build positive, caring and consistent relationships with the young people in their charge makes all the difference in their lives. As one program director in Worcester said: “Our job is not to do programs or activities but help kids become responsible adults.”
We agree and believe this task before us is monumentally important. We must ensure that all of the Commonwealth’s young people have appealing opportunities to engage in positive relationships with adults and their peers, and to learn and develop their potential during the non-school hours. The Special Commission’s Report: Our Common Wealth: Building a Future for Our Children and Youth offers a blueprint to guide us in crafting wise and strategic investments to that end.
We know that a prosperous and hopeful future for the state depends largely on how we prepare the next generation for adulthood. When we invest in and support the healthy development of our young people, we are safeguarding our society by helping our children and youth become productive, responsible, and invested community members. We invite you to join us in this all-important endeavor.