Catholic Social Services’ Out-Of-School Time Programs (OST) To Participate In 20th Annual “Lights On After School” Celebration

This annual celebration calls attention to the importance of afterschool programs and the resources required to keep their lights on and their doors open.

Catholic Social Services’ Out-Of-School Time Programs (OST), a ministry of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, will participate in the 20th annual “Lights on After School” celebration. This nationwide initiative is organized annually by The Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure that all children have access to affordable, quality afterschool programs.

The Mayfair OST Program will host a Fall Festival for children and their families. Highlights of the evening include fall themed STEM challenges, an interactive read aloud, a book fair and book sale fundraiser, raffles, and more.

Thursday, October 24, 2019
4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Mayfair Elementary School (Cafeteria)
3001 Princeton Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19149

In addition, students and their families at Saint Barnabas OST Program will enjoy an afternoon ice cream social to celebrate the important role of OST Programs in the lives of families and in communities.

Thursday, October 24, 2019
3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Saint Barnabas Catholic School
6334 Buist Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19142

Ms. Aggie Healey-Wilson, OST Administrator said, “CSS’ OST Programs help hundreds of children and young people throughout the City of Philadelphia by providing a safe, challenging, and engaging learning experience that helps them succeed both developmentally and academically. Lights On Afterschool emphasizes the importance of keeping the lights on and the doors open after school and we are proud to join communities nationwide in this celebration.”
For more than 20 years, CSS has served at-risk children and youth in grades K-12 through its OST programs. During the school year, the programs help children develop the social, emotional, physical, and academic skills vital to future educational achievement.

Throughout the summer months, OST programs support working families by offering places for their children to participate in recreational activities and academic reinforcement programs to help them avoid summer learning loss. Students participate in a variety of programming including dance, culinary arts, sewing classes, STEM education and more.
CSS’ OST Programs are a beneficiary of the Archbishop’s Benefit for Children (ABC), a year-round fundraising effort that provides necessary support to help ensure the vitality of CSS’ youth programs for children, adults and families of all faiths throughout the five-county metropolitan area comprising the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. These programs provide help and create hope for over 16,000 children each year, including children of veteran households and immigrant families.

# # #

Editor’s Note: CSS OST Programs are devoted to building stronger communities throughout the City of Philadelphia. To learn more, please visit http://cssoutofschooltime.org/.

To donate or for more information about the Archbishop’s Benefit for Children, please visit https://archbishopsbenefitforchildren.org/