The Afterschool Programming Crisis in NJ - and What it Will Take to Fix It

New Jersey faces a critical afterschool programming crisis, with demand far exceeding availability. While 85% of parents recognize these programs build essential social skills and keep children safe, only a fraction of families who need them have access. This gap leaves working parents scrambling for childcare and kids without structured environments to learn and grow. Host Aaron Turner, Chief Philanthropic Officer at the Community Foundation of New Jersey, sits down with three leading advocates—Ebony Grace of the NJ School-Age Child Care Coalition, Rosie Grant from Paterson Education Fund, and Louise McCants of Capital Area YMCA—to explore solutions to this mounting challenge.Learn more about the guests' orginizations : NJSACC: https://www.njsacc.orgCapital Area YMCA: https://capitalymca.orgPaterson Education Fund: https://paterson-education.orgAnd here are additional materials:Child care costs consume 19% of N.J. family budgets, survey finds- https://www.nj.com/mosaic/2025/11/child-care-costs-consume-19-of-nj-family-budgets-survey-finds.htmlAmerica After 3 PM NJ survey data - https://afterschoolalliance.org/AA3PM/data/new-jersey/demandWallace Foundation Report- https://wallacefoundation.org/report/responding-reimagining-realizing-out-school-time-coordination-new-era-out-school-timeMott Foundation Research- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MC5DhlG0XAP8Tmik-hTGt6SWI4CTjMf6/view?usp=sharing