What You Can Do
Summer Learning Advocates is leading a national campaign to secure at least $50 million in new government funding for quality summer learning programs for youth in high-poverty communities by 2012.
There are many ways you can help! Click on the big orange buttons to share your story, donate, and spread the word. You'll help strengthen our collective voice to let policymakers and other stakeholders know how summer programs benefit youth in your community and why summer learning opportunities should be made available to all children.
Whether you're a summer program provider, parent, young person, policy maker, or other stakeholder, you can make a difference. Here are some ways to make summer learning a priority in your community:
Program providers should:
- Get the word out and use the research. When reaching out to funders, decision-makers, partners, and the media, share the research to demonstrate the need for and effectiveness of high-quality summer learning opportunities. Visit www.summerlearning.org for research and other information on summer learning.
- Enlist support from community partners. Host meetings to discuss how you can work together to support young people in your community during the summer. Plan a summer learning forum to educate your community on the importance of summer learning opportunities.
- Invite elected officials to visit your summer learning program.
- Work with your school district to access American Recovery and Reinvestment funds to expand high-quality summer learning programs in your community.
Policymakers and funders should:
- Prioritize summer as a key component of out-of-school time funding.
- Provide funding for organizations that operate and support high-quality summer programs.
Business leaders should:
- Invest in summer learning programs for children of employees, and those living in the communities they serve.
- Provide summer internships and support programs designed to equip young people with the skills they need to be competitive in the global economy.
Parents should:
