Buffalo, NY - Mayor Byron W. Brown announced today that he is directing the top of Buffalo City Hall be lit in YELLOW on Thursday night, October 22, 2020, and asked other local landmark buildings and structures to do the same as part of BuffaloLIT (the Buffalo Landmark Illumination Team), in recognition of Lights on Afterschool Day. Governor Andrew Cuomo has designated October 22nd as Lights on Afterschool Day in New York, recognizing the beneits of after-school programs to children's development and performance.
"During this unprecedented year, Buffalo's after-school providers continue to deliver important services to children and their families,” stated Mayor Brown. “Improving the health of our city starts with keeping equity, inclusion and diversity at the center of our work in City government. After-school programs continue to ind ways to help bridge the achievement gap and provide needed support – especially to children and families in underserved communities.”
The After-School Network of Western New York (ASNWNY) Co-Chairs, Benjamin Hilligas and Nekia Kemp stated, “The ASNWNY believes in the power of after-school programs. After-School works to support families, students, and the community. The goal of After-School is to help increase the intellectual, social, emotional and physical development of students in grades K-12, outside of traditional school hours. We believe After-School is a necessary staple in communities. We are proud to support Lights On Afterschool and thankful to Mayor Brown for directing a citywide lighting salute in recognition of this annual event!”
Lights On Afterschool recognizes after-school programs that keep families working, support academic achievement and provide a safe environment for youth on very tight budgets. Afterschool in New York is partially funded through 2020 state budget allocations of $33 million for the Advantage After School Program (AASP) and $55 million for the Empire State After-School program. These allocations represent a fraction of the actual costs of after-school programs.