MICHAEL F. EASLEY
4
GOVERNOR
LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL DAY
2008
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the citizens of the State of North Carolina stand firmly committed to quality afterschool programs and
opportunities because they:
• Provide safe, challenging, and engaging learning experiences that help children develop social, emotional, physical
and academic skills; and
• Support working families by ensuring their children are safe and productive after the regular school day ends; and
• Build stronger communities by involving students, parents, business leaders and adult volunteers in the lives of young
people, thereby promoting positive relationships among youth, families and adults; and
• Engage families, schools and community partners in advancing the welfare of our children; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs has provided significant leadership in the area of
community involvement in the education and well-being of our youth, grounded in the principle that quality afterschool
programs are key to helping our children become successful adults; and
WHEREAS, Lights On Afterschool , the national celebration of afterschool programs held this year on October 1 6.
2008, promotes the importance of quality afterschool programs in the lives of children, families and communities; and
WHEREAS, according to the United States Census Bureau, North Carolina is home to approximately 1 .5 million
youth aged 5 to 17; and
WHEREAS, according to the United States Census Bureau, more than 70 percent live in homes where both parents
work or where there is a single parent who works; and
WHEREAS, according to the United States Census Bureau, North Carolina has the sixth fastest growing population of
youth aged 5 to 1 7 in the nation; and
WHEREAS, according to the Afterschool Alliance, 93 percent of North Carolina parents arc extremely or somewhat
satisfied with the afterschool program their child attends; and
WHEREAS, many afterschool programs across the country are facing funding shortfalls so severe that they are being
forced to close their doors and turn off their lights; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina is committed to investing in the health and safety of all young people by
providing expanded learning opportunities that will help close the achievement gap and prepare young people to compete in the
global economy,
NOW. THEREFORE. 1, MICHAEL F. EASLEY, Governor of the Slate of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim
October 16. 2008, as 'LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL DAY," and commit our state to engage in innovative afterschool
