Missouri programs joined more than 1 million people at over 8,000 events nationwide for the 27th annual Lights On Afterschool. Held October 22, with celebrations throughout the month, the national initiative highlights what afterschool does for students and working families.
At MU Adventure Club, students made colorful posters and lightbulb displays to share with their community. In Chillicothe, North Missouri Center for Youth & Families opened its PowerUP! program to families, school leaders and elected officials for an evening of activities, and a shared meal. Visitors saw firsthand how afterschool keeps students engaged and supported.
Other programs brought the glow. In Van Buren, the Bulldog After 3 afterschool program hosted “Light Up the Night!” for families, with a glow STEM challenge, art station, and snack bar. In Springfield, SPARC invited its afterschool programs to a Lights On banner contest, with the most-liked banner winning a prize.
“Afterschool gives students a place to explore their interests, build relationships and discover what they’re capable of,” said Ashlee Liska, Missouri AfterSchool Network associate director of quality. “Lights On Afterschool is an opportunity for families and communities to see the learning and growth happening in these programs every day.”
In Kansas City, Camp Fire Heartland marked the year in numbers: 400 youth served and 452,000 hours of service to youth and families. Lindbergh Community Ed & Rec and Midtown Community Services also celebrated, focusing on friendships, confidence and teamwork. Parents notice. According to the Afterschool Alliance, 96% of Missouri parents are satisfied with their child’s afterschool program.
For working families, it comes down to peace of mind. Eighty-two percent of Missouri parents say afterschool gives them that while they’re at work.
Showcases and conversations with local leaders also gave programs an opportunity to demonstrate why access matters. About 92,000 Missouri children participate in afterschool programs, but another 382,000 would enroll if a program were available.
“Every Lights On Afterschool celebration tells a story about what’s possible when communities invest in young people,” said Terri Foulkes, executive director of the Missouri AfterSchool Network. “But we also have to recognize the thousands of Missouri children who are missing out. Our goal is to make sure more students and families have access to these opportunities, regardless of where they live.”
See how Missouri programs celebrated Lights On Afterschool!
Sources: Afterschool Alliance, Lights On Afterschool 2026; America After 3PM (2025), Missouri findings.
