A recent guest commentary in The Kansas City Star by Erin Balleine, CEO of Camp Fire Heartland, brings necessary attention to a reality thousands of Missouri families experience daily: afterschool programs are essential, yet access remains far too limited.
On Saturday, September 13, afterschool professionals from across southwest Missouri gathered at Nixa Jr. High for the region’s first MOSAC Mini, the Southwest Afterschool Professionals (SWAP) Conference. Hosted in partnership with local program leaders, the event delivered high-quality professional development, meaningful networking, and renewed inspiration for the field. For many, Read more…
At the Missouri AfterSchool Network (MASN), we believe the hours beyond the school day are some of the most powerful in a young person’s life. It’s where confidence grows, skills sharpen, dreams take shape, and a stronger Missouri is built. Since 2002, MASN has been more than a network; we’ve Read more…
The Missouri School Age Conference (MOSAC) has long served as the state’s premier gathering for afterschool professionals. To extend its reach, MASN created MOSAC Minis—regional one-day events offering high-quality professional development and networking opportunities closer to the communities that need them. With established MOSAC Minis in St. Louis (ALI) and Read more…
“The first Midwest STEM Conference truly showed the power of partnerships,” said Terri Foulkes, Executive Director of the Missouri Afterschool Network. “By bringing together school-day educators, afterschool professionals, higher education, and community organizations, we created something greater than the sum of its parts. This event is a clear example of Read more…
Walk into an afterschool program in urban or rural Missouri, from St. Louis to Springfield, and discover more than students engaged in homework help, robotics, or gardening clubs. You’ll find peace of mind for working parents. You’ll find youth discovering their potential. And behind it all, you’ll find a network Read more…
In the Missouri Bootheel, where opportunities are limited and resources are stretched thin, afterschool programs change lives. Portageville’s Bulldog Time afterschool program exemplifies this. Their middle and high school programs provide students with enriching experiences, academic support, and leadership opportunities they wouldn’t have otherwise. The impact of afterschool extends far Read more…