“Rhode Island is the Promised Land of afterschool.” — Jackie Ascrizzi

ACCOLADES FROM THE FIELD

“Jackie is a champion because she is steadfast in her vision of afterschool. She never wavers in her commitment and always has a critical ‘eye on the prize’—quality afterschool programs that support and nurture kids and their families.” — Kai Cameron, Facilitator for Community Partnerships, Providence Public Schools

“As the Director of all things related to 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Jackie is afterschool’s biggest cheerleader at the Department of Education. I am constantly amazed by her ability to effectively manage, organize, and supervise all programming in Rhode Island while keeping a great sense of humor.”  — Dana Borrelli-Murray, Director of Expanded Learning Time at Highlander Charter School

Anne Marie Silvia, Wes Moore, Midge Sabatini, and Jackie Ascrizzi at the 2011 Lights on Afterschool Breakfast of Champions

AN INTERVIEW WITH JACKIE ASCRIZZI

What brought you to the afterschool field?

My graduate work focused on the intersection between health and education, and that lead me to the full service community school model, a strategy to address the education, health and social service needs of children and youth and their families at school, in the community, and at home.  Afterschool programs are a key component of the full service model.  Afterschool programs provide expanded learning opportunities that address these issues through an afterschool system of activities and services that focus on youth development.  Youth development is the combination of education and health in its purest form.

Who are the teachers, mentors, or heroes that shaped your career and guided your practice and principles?

The mentors and heroes that continue to shape my career in afterschool are the people doing the work on the ground.  I am in constant awe of the program managers, coordinators, providers, teachers, artists, and others that seem to have an unending source of energy, commitment, and a can-do attitude that seems to overcome the most confounding obstacles to success.  I have never worked with a more committed and passionate group of professionals, always willing to take on a challenge, share lessons learned, and build fabulous opportunities for the children and youth of our state to grow and learn in safe, nurturing, and engaging environments.

What most excites you globally about working in afterschool?

Youth development is meaningful everywhere around the world, in every culture, in all contexts and circumstances.  Imagine a world where all children and youth had opportunities to participate in music, theatre, art, sports, hands-on science, book clubs, math games, chess, swimming, community service, and more.  Imagine a world where all kids were surrounded by caring adults that mentored and nurtured each child to try new things, identify their challenges, find their strengths, and make friends.  That’s afterschool.  What a world that would be!

What makes Rhode Island a compelling place to work in afterschool?

Partnerships, partnerships, partnerships!  Rhode Island’s small size allows us to know each other, to know what resources exist or are needed, to understand the value of working together to reach common goals.  I am privileged to be a partner among so many organizations, funders, teachers, evaluators, data-crunchers, yogis, artists, book-worms, coaches, and others who work together to make the world a better place for our children and youth.  Rhode Island seems to attract smart, innovative, and forward-thinking individuals and the afterschool field is like a magnet for these folks.  The field of afterschool provides opportunities to think outside the box, to find ways to give kids what they need to be happy, productive, engaged learners.  Rhode Island is the Promised Land of afterschool.

What is your ultimate dream for afterschool in Rhode Island and beyond?

Ah, the dream.  All schools have robust afterschool programs that provide expanded learning opportunities that inspire, engage, motivate, and give hope that a meaningful future direction in life is waiting for each and every student.  Funding is plentiful to ensure high-quality programs, with highly trained staff, in safe and comfortable environments.  Collaboration between schools, community organizations, students, and families is alive and palpable.  Afterschool programs are places where kids are safe, nurtured, and supported; where adults know and care about the well-being and academic success of each child; where kids have fun, make friends, and find the doors are wide open to their dreams and possibilities.  Wouldn’t that be something?