Afterschool Innovator Awards

The Afterschool Alliance and MetLife Foundation are partnering to develop and disseminate a series of Issue Briefs that address topics related to older youth (both middle and high school aged kids) and afterschool programs. They are currently seeking nominations to identify innovative programs to both feature in the Issue Briefs, and to recognize with MetLife Afterschool Innovator Awards.

Nominations must be received by Wednesday, December 31, 2008. You can nominate your own program, or any other program you think may be eligible.

The four topics for the issue briefs and innovator awards:

1. Afterschool: A Promising Dropout Prevention Strategy
2. Recruiting and Retaining Older Youth in Afterschool Programs
3. Afterschool: Opening Doors to Work and Careers
4. Mentor and Be Mentored in Afterschool Programs

If you manage, work for, serve on the board of, or otherwise know about an afterschool program that serves older youth that is excelling in any of the topic areas, you are encouraged to submit a nomination form. There will be at least one award given in each issue area, and the awardee and additional select nominees will be spotlighted in the related Issue Brief and in the final compendium of briefs. Awards will be given out in conjunction with Lights On Afterschool 2009. Each recipient of the MetLife Afterschool Innovator Award will receive a $5,000 stipend to be used to expand or improve upon the highlighted program.

The nomination process is intended to reveal highly effective, potentially lesser-known, innovative programs serving older youth. A committee of representatives from the Afterschool Alliance, various partner organizations and MetLife Foundation will review the nominated programs and recommend award recipients.

Questions/Comments? Email miversen@afterschoolalliance.org or call (866) KIDS-TODAY ext. 27.