Mar 22, 20232 min read

East Bay BACR Team Advocates for Afterschool Programs at the 19th Annual Afterschool Challenge

The East Bay BACR Team recently participated in the 19th annual Afterschool Challenge in Sacramento on March 13th and 14th. This annual event, presented by CalSac, brings afterschool professionals, families, and students from throughout California together to advocate for the youth they serve in their communities, raise funding for afterschool programming, and meet with their legislators in their districts.

The BACR team also served as a Grassroots Sponsor at the event and participated in TACA - Teens Advocating for Civic Action - which brings middle and high school students together across California to learn about civic engagement, advocacy efforts for afterschool, and plan and implement local actions based on the youth's priorities. Five students from Oakland Tech High School represented the Bay Area, along with 35 other students from Ralph J Bunch, Street Academy, and Fremont HS, including the Fremont Polynesian afterschool club that performed for representatives.

THE SPECIFIC ASKS OF THE LEGISLATION

TO MAKE A GREATER IMPACT THE STATE SHOULD...
- Approve an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for After School Education and Safety (ASES) and 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) so expanded learning providers can keep up with rising costs and recruit and retain the workforce needed to serve California’s youth
  - We request a $73 million augmentation for ASES and 21st CCLC, equal to the 8.13% COLA proposed for LCFF, other education categorical programs, and child care
  - Please support AB 1113 (McCarty) to provide ongoing COLAs for ASES and 21st CCLC
Ensure that older youth (middle and high school students) also receive access to these critical programs
- Please support AB 1113 (McCarty) to protect more funding middle and high school students

On March 13th, the TACA students met at the College Foundation of Sacramento and shared their stories with legislative representatives. The TACA students talked about their transformative experiences, finding new expanded learning champions, and their advocacy efforts. On the same day, BACR had lunch and discussed their goals for afterschool programming in California.

The next day, the BACR team participated in the rally and had lunch before visiting legislators in their districts. The event was a success, and the BACR team hopes to continue their advocacy efforts in their local community.

Special Thanks to:

BACR's team leaders Katina Smith, Meisha Marshall, Ana Martinez, John Fuentes, and BACR board member, Reyna Hamilton

And to other BACR Participants (pictured):