Shining a light on learning beyond the classroom
Each October, Lights On Afterschool calls national attention to the hours when school ends but learning does not. For Community Youth Center of San Francisco, those hours are where much of our work comes into focus—supporting young people as they explore interests, build relationships, and take up space as active members of their school communities.
This year, CYC programs across San Francisco—including Dianne Feinstein, Garfield, George Moscone, and Redding Elementary Schools; Aptos Middle School; and Balboa and San Francisco International High Schools—marked Lights On Afterschool with events that reflected how learning continues beyond the classroom, shaped by culture, creativity, and connection.
A place to belong
At Aptos Middle School, students and staff gathered for Halo Halo Ween, an afterschool celebration bringing together Filipino American History Month and Lights On Afterschool. The afternoon blended food, games, and shared activities—creating space for students to connect with one another and with the adults who support them every day after the final bell.
Program Leader Muriel Shattuck noticed students gravitating toward experiences they hadn’t expected to enjoy. Assistant Site Coordinator Casey Gapal reflected on the relationships that grow from showing up consistently. “They feel like they can come to me with anything,” she said. “That trust matters.”
Moments like these are not add-ons to the school day. They are where students practice belonging—learning what it feels like to be known, welcomed, and taken seriously.
Creating and contributing
At Balboa High School, afterschool time looks different—but carries the same intention. Students recently organized a Rapunzel-themed lantern festival that filled the campus with student-designed crafts, screen printing, and a photo booth. The event was planned, built, and hosted by students themselves.
For Sammy, who has participated in CYC programs for four years, afterschool has been a steady presence. “I’ve made so many friends here,” they shared. “I don’t know where I’d be without this space.”
Afterschool programs give young people room to try ideas, work together, and see their efforts take shape in public. These experiences help students understand themselves as contributors—not just participants—in their school communities.
Learning with families
Across CYC elementary school sites, Lights On Afterschool also brought families into the learning process. At Dianne Feinstein Elementary, students presented hands-on STEAM projects they had developed during afterschool hours, inviting caregivers to explore experiments and ideas alongside them.
“My favorite part is getting to do hands-on projects and spending time with the CYC staff,” said Gianna, a student participant. “It always makes my week.”
At Garfield and Redding Elementary Schools, students led literacy games and creative activity stations, welcoming families into spaces usually reserved for afterschool programming. These gatherings turned learning into something shared—linking students, families, and staff through curiosity and play.
Why afterschool matters
Afterschool programs extend more than academic support. They connect young people with mentors, cultural expression, creative tools, and social-emotional learning—helping them build confidence and imagine what’s possible for themselves within their schools and neighborhoods. Lights On Afterschool is a reminder that these hours matter. They are where students discover interests, build relationships, and practice being part of something larger than themselves.
This season, the CYC Heart of the Holidays campaign helps sustain these spaces across San Francisco—ensuring that when the school day ends, learning, connection, and possibility continue.