It looks like Christine Benecke will have some after-school homework for the next year, thanks to a selection by the Afterschool Alliance to be a 2011-12 Afterschool Ambassador.
Benecke, the program director of Youth First at the
Saginaw Community Foundation, is one of just 20 selections from 17 states to be an ambassador this year. She will continue directing her local afterschool program while also serving a one-year term for the Afterschool Alliance organizing public events, communicating with policy makers and building support for afterschool programs.
"I am delighted to have this chance to help increase support for afterschool programs, which give students opportunities to explore their interests and give parents the security that comes with knowing that their children are safe and supervised, with engaging, educational activities after the school day ends," says Benecke, who has been with Youth First since 2008. "Afterschool programs are critical to students' success in school, to families trying to surviving in this recession, and to America's workforce in the future. We need to strengthen the afterschool programs we have and ensure that there is a program for every child who needs one."
Youth First was created in 2005 to bring development activities to youth in Saginaw County, through collaboration with existing service organizations. There are four afterschool program sites throughout Saginaw County: Carrollton Elementary School, Henry Doerr Child Development Center, Martin G. Atkins Elementary School and Merrill Elementary School, with the capacity to serve 225 students.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Christine Benecke, Youth First
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