Students at 26 CPS community schools participated in the 9th annual Lights On Afterschool Day celebrating after school programs nationwide.

The YMCA partners with CPS community schools to provide quality after school programs to low-income students citywide. CPS students from the YMCA-sponsored after school programs at Morton, Libby, Learn, Whistler and Ryerson gathered for a “Neighborhoods Against Violence” program.

Student performances include the Ryerson Y-SPACE Steppers and the Whistler Y-SPACE students performing a group rap. Additional speakers focused on student safety. The evening culminated with all students taking the “I Will Make a Difference” pledge. More than 500 students and their families were expected to attend.

Lights On Afterschool is a project of the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that all children have access to quality, affordable after-school programs.