SUMMARY OF THE SHOW
Today we join Adrian for a discussion with Kitty Gordillo and Valerie Lord of the Hollywood Police Activities League.
America’s students face many obstacles that can potentially derail their journey to a healthy, rewarding and productive life. Thankfully, afterschool programs across the country are helping students make the right decisions by inspiring learning, providing safe and supportive environments, and giving students the essential supports they need to succeed in school and beyond.
There are a great variety of youth programs available, but many are inaccessible to inner-city and rural youth. These children have fewer programs from which to choose than those in the suburbs. Urban youth often turn to gangs and the drug trade for protection, friends, and job opportunities due to lack of parental authority. The rural areas tend to lack the level of violence of inner cities, but there are still problems. A disproportionately large share of the poor is enrolled in rural schools. Rural areas are characterized by geographic isolation, declining population, and inadequate community facilities.
After-school programs vary greatly across the U.S. - many offer homework help, career exploration and other academic enrichment opportunities that may not fit into the traditional school day.
