Rep. Young Co-Chairs Congressional Afterschool Caucus
Representative Don Young, speaking at the 2019 Afterschool Showcase.
Representative Don Young (R-AK) has become the new co-chair of the Congressional Afterschool Caucus, joining co-chair Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY). The bipartisan caucus raises awareness of the importance of afterschool and summer programs and advocates for vital resources that promote quality programming across the country.
“As a former teacher, I know how important it is for children to have access to safe and educational afterschool programs,” said Congressman Don Young. “Parents across the country work hard to support their families, and afterschool programming is a critical resource for working families who do not have the option of choosing between their job or their children. The mission of the Congressional Afterschool Caucus is crucially important, and I look forward to the work ahead to ensure that our nation’s children and their families have the resources necessary to succeed.”
“Representative Don Young has been a long-time champion for afterschool and summer programs in Alaska and throughout the country. As a former educator, he knows how important afterschool programs are in keeping kids safe, inspiring learning, and supporting working families,” says Thomas Azzarella, director of the Alaska Afterschool Network. “Afterschool programs provide students the opportunity to enhance academic skills, engage in cultural activities, and make new friends while reducing their risk of engaging in unhealthy behavior like substance use.”
“Afterschool programs, and the millions of students and families who rely on them, are fortunate to have Representatives Nita Lowey and Don Young co-chairing the House Afterschool Caucus this year,” said Jodi Grant, executive director of the Afterschool Alliance. “Their skillful advocacy, vast experience and deep dedication to making afterschool programs available to all children and families make them highly effective champions. They are well positioned to build awareness about the vitally important role afterschool and summer learning programs play in keeping kids safe, inspiring them to learn and giving working parents peace of mind that their children are safe, supervised and learning after the school day ends. As we face continuing threats to federal afterschool funding, the House Afterschool Caucus needs the kind of powerful leadership Reps. Lowey and Young bring, now more than ever.”
Senator Lisa Murkowski, with Fairbanks 21st Century Community Learning Center student, Eva, and her father Dale, 2017
In addition to Representative Don Young’s leadership on the Congressional Afterschool Caucus, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) is the co-chair of the Senate Afterschool Caucus. Their leadership on these caucuses ensure federal resources that support children and youth during out-of-school time can reach even the most remote and rural communities in our country to help ensure all youth thrive.
“It is incredible to have Representative Don Young provide leadership to the Congressional Afterschool Caucus and Senator Lisa Murkowski for the Senate Afterschool Caucus. It’s clear that our federal delegates know afterschool works for Alaska.”