Lights On Afterschool is a nationwide celebration of afterschool programs designed to draw attention to the fact that high-quality afterschool and summer learning programs are crucial to children, youth, families, and communities.
Coinciding with the national celebration of Lights On Afterschool!, RIASPA’s annual Breakfast of Champions calls attention to the critical need for and importance of afterschool and summer programs, and increases awareness and support for afterschool and summer programs among policymakers, funders, and other decision makers.
2011 Breakfast of Champions
RIASPA Team with Keynote Speaker Wes Moore
Our 2011 Breakfast of Champions was held on Friday, October 21, 2011 at the Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston. Our theme was “The Other Side of Learning,” and our keynote speaker was Wes Moore, a youth advocate and the author of “The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates.” Wes spoke to the unique role that caring adults can play in shaping the futures of individual youth; his story is testament to how positive adult intervention can redirect a youth who has strayed off path. His words were both cautionary and hopeful, and above all else, heartfelt.
In addition to Mr. Moore, we heard from Commissioner Deborah Gist and parent speaker Shari Weinberger. Congressman David Cicilline presented Champion Awards to Senator Frank DeVall and Representative Frank Ferri in recognition of their unflagging support of out-of-school time. We also honored Matt Diamond, an exemplary youth worker with the Cumberland Youth Commission, as well as Newport Community School for their outstanding program.
Youth had a strong presence at the event, with 96 youth in attendance for the entire breakfast and 48 arriving afterwards for a youth-centered workshop with Wes Moore. We enjoyed a lively and invigorating performance by youth from the African Drumming Extended Day Enrichment Program at The MET School, and those of us who observed the workshop session that followed the breakfast were moved by the incisive questions posed by middle- and high-school youth. We also featured a gallery of quilted banners in which each quilt square was decorated by youth from local afterschool and summer learning programs.
A total of 392 afterschool professionals, elected officials, school teachers, school principals, superintendents, AmeriCorps members, parents, and advocates enjoyed a powerful event!
RIASPA would like to thank the following companies and organizations for generously sponsoring our 2011 Lights on Afterschool! Breakfast of Champions:
Bank of America
Citizens Bank
Cox Communications
METLife Home and Auto
Sodexo Rhode Island
2o1o Breakfast of Champions
Our 2010 Breakfast of Champions occurred on Friday, October 22, at the Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston. Our theme was “Opening Doors to Tomorrow,” and our keynote speaker was Ron Clark, 2000 Disney American Teacher of the Year and bestselling author of The Essential 55: An Award-Winning Educator’s Rules for Discovering the Successful Student in Every Child and The Excellent 11: Qualities Teachers and Parents Use to Motivate, Inspire, and Educate Children. Mr. Clark provided an energetic and inspiring keynote as only he could.
In addition to Mr. Clark, we welcomed featured speaker Carolina Correa, 2009 – 2010 National Youth of the Year of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Ms. Correa spoke of how the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket provided her with the opportunities necessary to grow as both an individual and student.
We honored Woonsocket’s Chillin’ & Skillin’ Summer Learning Initiative and Central Falls middle school teacher Cathy Carvalho as our exemplary afterschool/summer program and teacher, respectively.
Youth had a huge presence at our event: electrifying performances from Traveling Theatre and AS220, an emotional and motivating speech by Ms. Correa, and a breathtaking art gallery comprised of doors (in line with our “Opening Doors to Tomorrow” theme) that were decorated by afterschool and summer programs around the state.
In all, over 325 afterschool professionals, elected officials, school teachers, AmeriCorps members, state legislators, parents, and advocates enjoyed a powerful event!
Thank you to Bank of America, National Grid, and Cox Charities for sponsoring the 2010 Breakfast of Champions.
