💡Lights on Afterschool is just TWO DAYS away!💡Afterschool programs make a difference in the lives of young people every day, inspiring learning and preparing students for a bright future! Put the #LightsOnAfterschool for the programs that help our kids, families, and communities thrive. 3to6.co/LightsOn-SignupDon’t forget to tag VPOST in pictures of your program celebration! We’ll highlight the LOA events in our newsletter. @VPOST4VAKIDS on everything!Lights On Afterschool is coming up THIS Thursday! 💡In just a few days, afterschool programs around the country will celebrate the impact of afterschool by hosting fun events in their communities. We hope to see you out there! But if you can’t join in person, there’s another way to help raise awareness about the importance of funding afterschool programs: the Lights On Afterschool Lightbulb Challenge!Here’s what to do: 💡Take a photo of yourself posing in the shape of a lightbulb! It can be just you, you and your colleagues, or you and all the kids in your afterschool program!💡Post it with the hashtags #LightbulbChallenge and #LightsOnAfterschool 💡Then challenge your followers to do the same!We can’t wait to see your photos!Learn more about the challenge: bit.ly/4yl8vZDOr see if there’s an event in your community: bit.ly/4B8zlXJ
📢VPOST CONFERENCE REGISTRATION DEADLINE EXTENDED!There’s still time to register you and your team for The Village We Build: VPOST’s 17th Annual Conference! 📲https://bit.ly/VPOSTConf2026We’ve got 15 high-quality workshops bringing up-to-date resources and activities to the field! Check out the full descriptions on our website: v-post.org/conference-workshops/
🚨📢 LAST CALL! 📢🚨 Don’t miss your chance to attend VPOST’s 17th annual conference!The deadline to secure lodging is THIS FRIDAY, October 16th. 📲https://bit.ly/VPOSTLodging2026The deadline to register is NEXT MONDAY, October 19th. 📲https://bit.ly/VPOSTConf2026Check out our workshops, door prizes, and more on our website: v-post.org/17th-annual-conference/
📢 Last call for OST Champion Award Nominations! The Roberta Newman OST Champion Award nomination form closes on Wednesday, September 30th. If you have a colleague who deserves recognition for their passion for and dedication to the OST field, take a moment to nominate them! VPOST will recognize up to three nominees during our conference in November. 📲Nomination Form: bit.ly/OSTChampionAward2026📲Conference Registration: bit.ly/VPOSTConf2026#afterschoolchampion #ostchampion #ostaward
Our Executive Director, Blaire Denson, joined Senator L. Louise Lucas last night with our government relations team at Commonwealth Strategy Group. Sen. Lucas is currently President pro tempore of the Virginia Senate, represents District 18, and serves as chair of Senate Finance and Appropriations as well as a member of Education and Health. VPOST recognizes Senator Louise Lucas for her leadership in supporting Virginia’s children, families, and out-of-school time programs.As Chair of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, Senator Lucas helped advance $2 million annually in the 2026 state budget to strengthen Virginia’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers, supporting afterschool, before-school, and summer learning opportunities. The budget also recognizes VPOST’s role in supporting programs and grantees across the Commonwealth. VPOST looks forward to working with Senator Lucas, Attorney General Jay Jones, and members of the General Assembly, helping advance opportunities that support youth well-being and meaningful connections.We appreciate Senator Lucas’s commitment to ensuring Virginia’s young people have access to quality learning opportunities beyond the school day.
