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City of Vancouver, Washington

 Mayor Royce Pollard Honored as an Afterschool Champion

Thursday, October 22, 2009
Contact: Jan Bader, City Manager's Office, (360) 487-8606

Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard received an Afterschool Hall of Fame award from School's Out Washington on Monday in front of 500 youth professionals as part of the annual Bridge from School to Afterschool and Back Conference, which was held at the Hilton Vancouver Washington. 

The Afterschool Hall of Fame Award Ceremony was organized to celebrate and recognize individuals and organizations that have provided dedicated leadership in the advancement of the field of afterschool in Washington State.  Leadership around afterschool issues in Washington State is critical, as more and more research points to the positive outcomes youth experience when involved in out-of-school time programming. 

"Mayor Royce Pollard has been a true leader and champion for afterschool and works from an understanding that our communities have a collective responsibility to provide safe, constructive and enjoyable activities for our young people both in and out of school," explained Janet Frieling of School's Out Washington who presented Mayor Pollard with the award.

In 2006, Mayor Pollard directed Vancouver-Clark Parks & Recreation to convene a committee to begin the process of developing a network of afterschool providers and community organizations.  From this committee came the Vancouver Out of School Time Coalition, a group that has accomplished great feats in its short time including securing two National League of Cities technical assistance grants and creating a website for parents to find programs.  Mayor Pollard, along with Vancouver City Council member Jeanne Harris, have been instrumental in keeping the momentum going behind this collaborative effort and, despite tough economic times, remains committed to this work. 

Other award recipients include:  Tacoma City Council member Connie Ladenburg, the Raikes Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Sima Thorpe with Gonzaga University and Paula Trosper, White Salmon Valley School District.

The award ceremony is part of a weeklong celebration of afterschool programs as part of Lights On Afterschool. Lights On Afterschool is a project of the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that all children have access to quality, affordable afterschool programs. Lights On Afterschool was launched in October 2000 with celebrations in more than 1,200 communities nationwide. This October, over 1 million Americans will celebrate Lights On Afterschool!, including over 60 events in Washington State.

For more information, contact Shannon Ginn at 206-336-6932 or by cell at 206-962-0708.

School's Out Washington provides services and guidance for organizations to ensure all young people have safe places to learn and grow when not in school.  School's Out is dedicated to building community systems to support quality out-of-school time programs for Washington's 5-14 year olds through training, advocacy and leadership.  More information is available at www.schoolsoutwashington.org

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