I first created and implemented an after school program in 1998. It was the Clinton years and the goal for after school was to provide a safe environment for students between the hours of 3pm and 6pm. Next came the Bush years and No Child Left Behind: more after school programs, more variety of activities and emphasis on academic enrichment and parent involvement. Now many of us in the field of youth development await the release of the 6th round of after school funding. Recently all programs have been asked to infuse everything with an emphasis on Career and College readiness. There is definitely one constant in after after school: change.

The future is exciting. We must all adapt, improve, innovate and change or we will not exist.

-Earl