Lights on MSAN!

October 28th is Lights on Afterschool!, the day we celebrate nationally the importance of high-quality after-school and summer programs. Did you know that Operation Shoestring serves as the hosting organization for the Mississippi Statewide Afterschool network? This statewide initiative connects Mississippi afterschool and summer program providers, parents, and policymakers with resources to improve the quality of and access to afterschool and summer programming for school-age children and youth. 

The Mississippi Statewide Afterschool Network (MSAN) has had the opportunity to maximize the amount of students to be engaged in summer programs like the ones at Operation Shoestring. As a statewide after-school network, MSAN also hosts conversations for after-school providers centered topics such as how to access resources like COVID-19 relief dollars and how best to utilize funding sources. 

This year, MSAN had conversations with the Mississippi Department of Education and State Superintendent Dr. Carey Wight centered on how to best use COVID-19 relief funds. The talks included  discussions on how to utilize the CARES act to safely reopen after-school programs, and to start new programs in order to generate learning acceleration across the state.

After-school provides a space for kids to explore their passions. In a typical after school week, our students are absorbed in art projects or diving into specific STEAM topics alongside their academics and homework tutorials. These afternoons at Operation Shoestring only last a few hours each day, but the impact of what happens in those precious hours can last a lifetime. 

We’re optimistic that out of this current moment will come an increase of effective after-school programs and school-community partnerships within our state. MSAN is committed to being there to assist all programs on a community and statewide level. We’re especially excited to be learning and growing this year with our local school district, Jackson Public Schools, as it develops new, effective after-school programs in partnership with a host of strategic partners including Shoestring. As Dr. Michelle Owens says in our 2021 Conversation about Community web series: “The first step to children thriving is them feeling loved. I think everything stems from that. The beauty of love, especially as it applies to children, is that it can come from anywhere.” 

We’re glad to be part of an initiative that helps children feel loved and be able thrive all across Mississippi! When the life of one child in our state is improved, then all of our lives are richer for it.  We all rise together.