Robert Arellanes, left, CEO of the Learning, Enrichment and Academic Resources Network, receives a certifcate of recognition from Assemblyman Charles Calderon at the Lights on After School celebration held recently at El Rancho High School.
Story Created:
Dec 1, 2011 at 12:28 PM PST
Story Updated:
Dec 1, 2011 at 12:28 PM PST
In an effort to increase awareness of the benefits and effectiveness of after-school programs in local schools, and to showcase the after-school programs it provides, the Learning, Enrichment and Academic Resources Network (LEARN) recently held its 12th annual Lights On After-School event.
LEARN held events at California High School in Whittier, El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera and Mountain View High School and Rio Hondo Elementary School in El Monte.
Nationwide, one million people celebrated the event that emphasizes the need to save after-school programs from budget cuts, keeping lights on and doors open after the official end of the school day.
“Lights On is part of our national event that showcases what after-school programs are doing across the nation,” said LEARN CEO Robert Arellanes. “It’s important for people to see what is happening at these schools. Today’s students are our future and we need to provide more resources for them, because if we don’t take care of what we have now, we are not taking care of our future.”
LEARN provides after-school services focusing on homework assistance, academic and extracurricular enrichment and recreation for students from kindergarten through the 12th grade within Whittier, Pico Rivera and El Monte.
Those attending the “Lights On” celebration, including parents and public officials, got to meet LEARN and school staff and see the many after-school activities and programs LEARN offers.
At El Rancho High School, Assembly Majority Leader Charles Calderon talked about the importance of after-school programs.
“The future lies in the hands of the people that are a part of LEARN, who believe in young people and who believe in California,” Calderon said. “We need to be committed to programs like this.”
Calderon presented a certificate of recognition to Arellanes for LEARN’s commitment to promoting after-school programs in the lives of children, families, and communities.
Junior Christian Mota attended Gear Up’s Summer Palooza, a week-long field trip to the University of San Diego.
“It changed my life completely,” he said. “I highly recommend it to anyone.”
“Prior to LEARN’s involvement at El Rancho High School, only 24 percent of graduating seniors completed their A through G requirements which are needed to attend any University of California or California State University school,” said AVID Coordinator Gerardo Correa. “With the help of LEARN, the AVID program (Advancement Via Individual Determination) was instituted at El Rancho High School and has focused on college readiness. This year, our A through G completion rate is over 40 percent. That’s a big difference in just four years.”
“Organizations such as LEARN listen to the needs of our schools, then go out and try to secure the resources,” said Arellanes. “The benefits of quality after-school programs are clear. They support working families by ensuring that children are safe and productive when the school day ends and give children the opportunity to discover hidden talents as they grow academically and socially.”
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