NEWS RELEASES

 

 




 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
 Contact: Carson Chandler, (407) 246 - 2822
              Heather Allebaugh, (407) 246 - 3423
             
                       
 

Mayor Dyer and City Families, Parks and Recreation to Hold Lights On Afterschool Rally October 18    
7,500 Rallies Nationwide Aim to Raise Awareness About Afterschool programs

 

WHAT: Orlando Mayor Dyer and the City of Orlando’s Families, Parks and Recreation Division will sponsor a Lights On Afterschool rally, one of more than 7,500 such events around the nation that day. After-school is the peak time for juvenile crime and risky behavior. In fact, according to National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center, kids who don’t spend time in extracurricular activities are 49% more likely to use drugs and 37% more likely to become teen parents than are those who spend time in extracurricular activities.

On Thursday, Mayor Dyer will urge families to take advantage of afterschool programs and keep kids off the streets where they can be exposed to crime or engage in dangerous behaviors.

To raise awareness about the City’s afterschool programs the City will host 15 events at Neighborhood Centers throughout the City. The City of Orlando’s Families, Parks and Recreation Department offers afterschool programming to 2,500 children each day at 15 City recreation centers. An additional 2,500 children participate in after school programs and on City sports teams each year.

In addition, Orlando After-School All-Stars provides before and after school programs for 1,000 middle school aged youth each day. Moreover, the City of Orlando’s Parramore Kidz Zone has enrolled 450 children and youth, just from the Parramore community, in a wide range of after-school activities, including 7 Homework Roomz located throughout the neighborhood and numerous sports teams.

 
WHEN: Thursday, October 18, 2007
Media Window: 6:15 – 6:45 p.m.
Event hours: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

 
WHERE: Engelwood Neighborhood Center
6123 LaCosta Drive

 
CONTACT: For information on the various City Lights On Afterschool events, contact Brenda March, Assistant to Director, at 407-246-4295.


 

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