Key West Mayor Craig Cates proclaimed October 20th Lights On After School Day during the City Commission meeting Tuesday. Dan Dombrowski, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of the Florida Keys accepted the proclamation, along with a group of non-profit care providers whose efforts seek to keep our children safe.

Dombrowski invited the community to come to Bayview Park on Thursday at 4 to help celebrate the importance of after school programs. There will be food and bounce houses for a great family outing.

“Come help us celebrate the program that help during the most vulnerable time in a child’s life,” he said, “when they’re not in school.”

He noted that it’s up to the community to continue supporting after school programs like the Boys and Girls Club, the Bahama Village Music Program and the Police Athletic League, among others.

Nationwide, more than 28 million children have parents who work outside the home, and 15.1 million have no place to go after school. That’s why programs like those offered by the Boys and Girls Club are so vital.

The proclamation points out that this community is “firmly committed to quality afterschool programs” because they ensure safe experiences for kids and support working families. In fact, strong afterschool programs build a better community by involving students, parents, business leaders and adult volunteers in the lives of young people.