Family Resource Center to hold 'Lights on After School' rally

The public is welcome at the local observance of the "Lights on After School" rally, part of a national rally for quality afterschool programs held at 5 p.m. today at the Family Resource Center, 1202 S. Sprigg St. It is one of 7,000 events held across the nation to emphasize the importance of keeping lights on and doors open for after-school programs.

The Cape Area Family Resource Center Afterschool Program opened in 1999 with a Weed and Seed grant. It now serves 45 children in South Cape providing homework assistance, mentoring, tutoring, as well as crafts, dance, library time, computer skill-building and snacks. The local program is a city-wide collaboration of the social work students of Southeast Missouri State University, 4-H, Otahki Girl Scouts, Lutheran Family and Children's Services and Southeast Hospital Wellness staff. It is coordinated by the Family Resource Center staff.

The After-school Alliance is a not-for-profit public awareness and advocacy organization working to ensure that all children and youth have access to afterschool programs by the year 2010. More information on the Alliance and Lights On Afterschool is available at www.afterschoolalliance.org.