City leaders coordinate efforts to address key challenges for youth and families in their communities

MONROEVILLE, Pa., Sept. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Mayors Thomas Trigona of Johnstown and Michael Cherepko of McKeesport will join more than 100 state, city and municipal leaders, policymakers, youth development experts, students and advocates from across western Pennsylvania for a summit about the importance and need for quality afterschool opportunities for Pennsylvania's children and youth. Organized by Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network (PSAYDN), the event will highlight ways integrated civic efforts can offer more opportunities for youth to improve academic performance, develop new skills, consider career or college options, participate on teams and more. More than half a million Pennsylvania children need – but don't have – afterschool programs, even as statewide demand for afterschool programs has increased, according to the "America After 3PM" study.

10 AM Friday, September 21
Holiday Inn Monroeville
2750 Mosside Boulevard
Monroeville, Pa.
WITH
State Representative Jake Wheatley
State Senator James Brewster
Mayor Olive McKeithan (Farrell)
Mayor Brian Hranics (Borough of Port Vue)
Mayor Robert Kepics (Monongahela)

Across the country, city-led efforts are building comprehensive out-of-school time (OST) systems that meet the needs of their communities. These efforts are linking isolated programs within more coordinated citywide networks, bringing disparate stakeholders together to create and advance common strategies, and using research-based approaches to improve program quality and access. Pennsylvania's Mayoral Summits will further this work in the Commonwealth. Many other city officials, program experts and youth leaders will talk about why afterschool programs are so important to communities, youth and their families.

The western Pennsylvania Mayoral Summit is presented by Best Buy and convened by Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network (PSAYDN), PA Municipal Leagues (PML), and the National League of Cities. PSAYDN gratefully acknowledges the support from Charles S. Mott Foundation, Wallace Foundation and William Penn Foundation, Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania School Boards Association, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society. The eastern summit took place September 1, 2012 in Trevose, Pa.

Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) promotes sustainable, high-quality out-of-school time youth development programs through advocacy and capacity building to enhance the welfare of Pennsylvania's children, youth and families.  More information is available at www.PSAYDN.org.

CONTACT: Aylissa Kiely Tyndale
717/903-0219
akiely.tyndale@csc.csiu.org

SOURCE Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network