Approximately 7.8 million people actively participate in Afterschool programs across the country, with 850,000 being employed as leaders and professionals within the wide range of programs. To recognize these individuals for the valuable work they provide students, each year the National AfterSchool Association (NAA), the voice of the afterschool profession, selects 21 emerging leaders across the country who are dedicated to improving the afterschool environment and program for the students they serve.
To be selected, these individuals have made contributions to afterschool programs that are beyond their individual program, reaching and impacting organizations and entire communities. They are diligent in their work to elevate afterschool awareness and efforts as they work to serve their students and develop skillsets that support their foundational leadership growth.
This year, two Missouri afterschool professionals were selected among the top 21 to be recognized as the Next Gen Honorees!
Lorenzo Harrison works in the Lee’s Summit area as a site leader for the Lee’s Summit Y Club. Through his work with students, Harrison finds appreciation in seeing students excited about the afterschool programs.
Harrison has been serving in the afterschool profession since he was 16. He says that the students and the opportunity to make an impact are the reasons he continues to stay. “It refuels me. This is what I am supposed to be doing.” says Harrison. Through his afterschool background, Harrison and his staff are able to create experiences that allow students to know they are going to have a blast during out-of-school-time.
Harrison is focused on improving his program for the students. This dynamic leadership extends beyond the Lee’s Summit Y Club. Harrison has been training leaders across the state on courses covering professional development. “I’m always grateful I get to share my gifts and then looking ahead for what we can do next to keep the wheels going.”
Upon receiving the Honoree award, Harrison was both honored and grateful to be a recipient. “It’s been a really exciting journey and I’m glad to be a part of it.”
Kimberly Albrecht works in the St. Louis area as she serves as the MASN STEM committee chair. Through her role with afterschool programming, Albrecht serves as a site leader for one of the four sites of Clayton Kid Zone, the afterschool program serving the school district of Clayton, Missouri. Albrecht regularly supervises staff, works with students, oversees parent interactions, and routinely brings in fun and inspiring ideas for her program site. She commends her students for being a driving force for her creative development of new ideas for the program.
“The most rewarding moment I would say would be this year. I have a fifth-grade group that I have had since kindergarten, and they are an out of the box creative group. They helped me start an entrepreneurship club and by doing so have pushed me out of my box to start a STEAM Day. They are my inspiration.”
Albrecht sees the benefits of afterschool programs as expansions of the school day, as each program serves as a place where students can continue to grow and learn. Albrecht applauds the afterschool industry for thinking of the whole child and is personally dedicated to pushing and inspiring children to accomplish all their goals and dreams in life. It truly is about meeting the needs of each individual student, so they can become anything they want.
Upon receiving the Next Gen Honoree award, Albrecht was ecstatic to be recognized and thankful for her nominator. “I love working with kids, it’s the best part of my day. It’s still just so surreal to me. It’s so amazing to see people pushing afterschool, for the advocacy and support that we need.”
Both of Missouri’s Next Gen Honorees exhibit the passion and dedication to improving the afterschool field by providing new ideas and resources to enhance the opportunities for their students. They lead by example in the work they have done both for their programs and the overall afterschool industry in the state. Albrecht and Harrison are truly selfless individuals within the afterschool community who will continue to grow as leaders and make their mark within their programs.
