about us
mission
We connect, convene, and advocate with afterschool/out-of-school time programs to champion access to equitable and high-quality learning environments to build a strong and unified Rhode Island.
vision
Every Rhode Island youth will have access to a fully resourced out of school time field prepared with a strong sense of belonging to embrace the complexities of life, while navigating challenges as they strive for lifelong success.
values
equity
OUR pledge to equity is a promotion and emphasis on anti-racist practices and culture in our leadership and work. We understand that the experiences of youth workers and organizational leaders of color are vastly different than their white counterparts, and we push to create progressive change that centers this as a network. As a network we understand that grounding the work we do, and how we do it require constant analysis to ensure the most impacted are being served and cared for through a lens of equity.
inclusion
We believe that inclusion is the heartbeat of the afterschool/ out-of-school community where every member's unique contributions and experiences are seen, heard and valued. Inclusion is our commitment to a richer, more vibrant tapestry of perspectives that drives innovation, understanding, belonging, and unity.
optimism
We have the unwavering belief that, even in the face of challenges and adversity, a brighter future is not only possible but achievable through determination and resiliency.
partnership
We believe that partnership combines our strengths of sharing knowledge and merging our visions. We commit to creating common goals with youth, families, communities, and schools. Our collaborative spirit forges paths that are more innovative, sustainable, and impactful for our youth through collective action.
quality
We believe that quality is the reflection and a deep understanding of the needs, preferences and contribution of individual youth and their environment. It is a commitment to designing services and experiences based on the well-being of those we serve.
voice
As a network, we value not only the diversity in identities of our intergenerational members, especially our youth. No two programs, organizations or individuals are identical, so we do not carry an expectation that solutions will be the same. We work in ways that amplify the voices of our members with attention to those most marginalized.
joy
As a network, we believe that to reach our mission we must maintain the capacity for joy for the youth we serve, and the adults providing the services. While joy may look different for everyone, we emphasize joy as a sense of belonging which fosters an invitation to make new opportunities creatively rather than being stuck in what is.