Turning the Lights On: Celebrating Afterschool in North Carolina

In this special Inside Out-of-School Time episode, host Karin Wolfe sits down with Heather Joyner, vice president of operations and programs for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain in North Carolina, to explore how Lights On Afterschool inspires connection, creativity, and community impact. Heather shares how her team prepares for Lights On Afterschool — from teen-led music showcases to family events such as Brushes & Bites and the Core Memory Carnival — and how youth voice, family engagement, and partnerships bring these celebrations to life. Learn how this annual event, hosted nationally by the Afterschool Alliance, shines a spotlight on the importance of afterschool programs and the incredible work being done across 21st Century Community Learning Centers and local communities. 👉 For more information or to get involved, visit afterschoolalliance.org/loa.cfm.