NEW YORK, Oct. 16, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brooklyn Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke received the "After-School Hero Award" today from The After-School Corporation (TASC) at a rally at the High School for Global Citizenship in Brooklyn. Students from four Brooklyn after-school programs operated by the nonprofit organizations Global Kids and CAMBA attended the event.
Rep. Clarke was honored for her successful fight to save 207 endangered after-school programs. She was also honored for her commitment, as a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, to ensure there are high quality programs with sufficient funding to help young people continue to learn after the traditional school day ends.
Students from four after-school programs gathered with their parents and program leaders at Global Kids' flagship high school to celebrate Lights On Afterschool. Organized by the Afterschool Alliance, Lights On Afterschool is a national rally to raise awareness of the value of after-school programs and the need for increased funding.
The event also featured dance and drumming performances by students in a CAMBA after-school program and awards to high school students who have shown exceptional leadership in Global Kids' programs. Students challenged their parents and community members to take an active role in advocating with policymakers to support after-school programs.
About TASC
The After-School Corporation is dedicated to giving all kids opportunities to grow through after-school and summer programs that support, educate and inspire them. TASC's vision is that kids form all backgrounds will have access to the range of high quality activities beyond the school day that every family wants for their children: experiences that support their intellectual, creative and healthy development and help them to be their best, in and out of school.For more information, visit the TASC Web site at www.tascorp.org.
About Global Kids, Inc.
Global Kids' mission is to educate and inspire urban youth to become successful students and global and community leaders by engaging them in socially dynamic, content-rich learning experiences. Through its leadership development and academic enrichment programs, Global Kids educates youth about critical international and domestic issues and promotes their engagement in civic life and the democratic process. Through professional development initiatives, Global Kids provides educators with strategies for integrating experiential learning methods and international issues into urban classrooms. Over 90% of the high school seniors who participate in GK's leadership program graduate and attend college. For more information, visit the Global Kids Web site at www.globalkids.org.
The Global Kids, Inc. logo is available athttp://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4850