St. Helens Issues Proclamation Recognizing the Importance of Afterschool Programming

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 2, 2025

St. Helens, Ore. - The St. Helens City Council issued a proclamation on October 1, 2025, affirming the importance of afterschool programming in St. Helens and declaring October 23, 2025, as Lights on Afterschool Day.

Lights on Afterschool is a national celebration of afterschool programs that promotes the importance of quality afterschool programs for children, families, and communities.

Since 2018 when the City of St. Helens created a St. Helens Parks and Recreation Program, over 300 individual youth have been served through the program's St. Helens Afterschool Recreation Program (S.H.A.R.P). S.H.A.R.P. is an afterschool program in partnership with the St. Helens School District designed for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The program is housed at the Lewis and Clark Elementary School and serves students from McBride, Columbia City, and Lewis and Clark Elementary Schools in addition to the Arthur Academy Charter School. During their afterschool time, students receive homework assistance, participate in group activities and clubs, have outside play opportunities, and participate in educational visits from community partners such as the OSU Extension Service and St. Helens Police Department. S.H.A.R.P. is currently serving 33 youth for its 2025 fall session.

"Starting the afterschool program was truly a dream come true," said St. Helens Recreation Manager Shanna Duggan. "Watching it grow each year has been a joy. None of this would be possible without the support of the City of St. Helens, St. Helens School District, our amazing staff, and the volunteers and sponsors who have helped nurture this program every step of the way. Together, we've built something truly special for our kids and our community."

Thanks to federal funding received through a 21^st Century Community Learning Centers grant, the City of St. Helens Recreation Program is offering additional afterschool care through its R.I.S.E. (Reinforcing Ideas for Success in Enrichment) Afterschool Learning Center. This program is offered in partnership with the St. Helens School District. Through the grant, R.I.S.E. offers added afterschool capacity to St. Helens students at each elementary school location. R.I.S.E. currently serves 26 students at Columbia City Elementary School, 15 students at Lewis and Clark Elementary School, and 26 students at McBride Elementary School.

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers provide afterschool and summer learning opportunities in every state. Programs are selected for funding based on their ability to meet the needs of students and families and their connection to education priorities in the state. Learning Centers provide opportunities for academically enriching experiences, a broad array of additional services, programs, and activities focusing on subjects like STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), physical fitness and wellness, drug and violence prevention, nutrition and health education, arts and music, and activities that tie into in-demand industry sectors or occupations that are designed to reinforce and complement the academic program of participating students.

The St. Helens Recreation Program currently employs 14 individuals to staff its afterschool programs, which includes employment and leadership opportunities for local high school students.

Lights on Afterschool celebrates the achievements of afterschool students and draws attention to the need for more afterschool programs to serve the millions of children nationwide who are unsupervised each weekday afternoon. The celebration emphasizes the importance of keeping the lights on and the doors open after school. As the demand for afterschool programs continues to grow, for every child in an afterschool program, four are waiting to get in.

The St. Helens Recreation Program is committed to the education and well-being of St. Helens youth and recognizes that quality afterschool programs prepare our children to become successful adults and help our community thrive.

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For further information regarding the St. Helens Lights on Afterschool proclamation , please contact Communications Officer Crystal King at [email protected] .