At the Missouri AfterSchool Network (MASN), our work centers on supporting the people who support Missouri’s youth outside the regular school day. Through youth work initiatives, Mark Cowsert, MASN associate director of partnerships, and Aaron Banks, MASN youth workforce initiatives coordinator, partner with afterschool programs across the state to strengthen afterschool educators—helping staff build the skills, confidence, and tools they need to create safe, engaging, and growth-oriented environments for students.
Part of this work involves expanding youth
entrepreneurship learning in afterschool programs. Aaron explains, “By equipping staff with practical training and ready-to-use resources, we’re helping programs introduce young people to problem solving, opportunity spotting, and the mindsets that fuel real-world entrepreneurial thinking.” When afterschool staff feel confident and supported, that energy reaches students. They benefit from stronger relationships, more consistent program quality, and exciting opportunities to explore their interests—building future-ready skills and the confidence to create something of their own along the way.
One example is the founder of Junior Java,Noah Temple, a student who has come a long way in both his confidence and his ability to share ideas. We have continued to support Noah since he entered MASN’s statewide Youth Entrepreneurship Pitch Challenge years ago, where he won his grade level and went on to become a National Champion in the Young Entrepreneur Institute Competition. The experience pushed him to refine his idea,
practice public speaking, and learn how to communicate a vision clearly. The growth Noah has shown—from that first pitch to the leader he is today—is exactly why we invest in this work.
The Missouri AfterSchool Network is also incredibly grateful for the generous support of the Mott Foundation for MASN’s youth entrepreneurship initiative since 2019. In addition to providing grants, Mott has offered training and technical assistance through two amazing organizations, VentureLab and the Young Entrepreneur Institute. Both VentureLab and YEI not only provide resources for programs but also work directly with afterschool professionals who mentor and support students. They exemplify the truest definition of partnership in their work with MASN, local programs, staff, and students across Missouri.
Hear about Noah’s experience in his own words in this MU Extension article and video.
Read the article:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlYWxaLQ5_0
Watch the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlYWxaLQ5_0
We’re grateful to the dedicated youth workers across Missouri who show up for students daily—and we remain committed to supporting their work and making their jobs more sustainable and impactful.
