From Our Team
BOOST Celebrates the Vital Role of OST Providers in Paso del Norte, with a special guest appearance of “Little Amal”
Posted on October 12, 2023 by Sandra Day
In the Paso del Norte region, a commitment to community collaboration and youth empowerment shines a pathway toward a brighter future. The annual “Lights on Afterschool” event, with its celebration of Out-of-School Time (OST) providers, ensures the path stays ignited for our children and community.
OST providers offer an invaluable service by extending learning opportunities beyond traditional school hours.
This year, the Borderland Out-of-School Time Network (BOOST)-Lights on Afterschool initiative will transcend geographical boundaries with a three-city event – in El Paso, Texas, Ciudad Juárez, and Las Cruces, New Mexico - showcasing OST organizations across the region with a special guest appearance by “Little Amal.”
The celebration will kick-start in El Paso on Wednesday, October 25, at the Ascarate Healing Memorial Garden with a carnival-themed event showcasing local organizations and their OST programs, arts and crafts, games, and more. The event will also feature a very special appearance by “Little Amal.” Spearheaded by Creative Kids, in collaboration with the Little Amal Walk team, the 12-foot puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee child has traveled across the globe to recognize children fleeing unsafe cities.
Across the border in Ciudad Juárez, the Lights Out event will be held at the Plaza de la Mexicanidad (“La X”) on Thursday, October 26. In partnership with the Municipal Government and the Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (DIF), it will include a special appearance of Little Amal, mariachis, games, and more.
In Las Cruces, in collaboration with the Boys and Girls Club of Las Cruces, the event will take place on Friday, October 27, and will include live music and carnival games.
The Lights on Afterschool events will bring together youth, families, and a community to not just a celebration but also a declaration of the significance of OST providers in shaping the lives of our youth. By partnering with the Little Amal Walk organizing team as well as our regional partners, this year’s events signify a collaboration that transcends borders and amplifies the lasting impact OST providers will have on our community students.
BOOST, powered by the Paso del Norte Health Foundation’s Healthy Kids Initiative, with support from the United Way of El Paso County, collaborates with more than 40 OST providers to reach parents across the cities. These providers form a network that shares best practices and imparts youth development training, fostering an environment where growth and learning flourish. Dedicated individuals and organizations understand learning doesn’t stop when the final school bell rings but continues through activities that engage, inspire, and nurture the development of young minds.
If you are interested in attending the event series, contact the BOOST Network at boost@unitedwayelpaso.org to learn about times, locations, and more. Visit https://www.theboostnetwork.org/ for more information on out-of-school-time programs and providers in the region.
Sandra Day
Sandra joined the Health Foundation in 2021. She manages the Healthy Kids and the Mental Health and Emotional Well-being Initiatives. She brings more than 10 years of experience in the public health sector working for nonprofit, as well as the federal government sector.
PDNHF Initiative: Healthy Kids
View Strategy Brief (English)
View Strategy Brief (Español)
Foundation Staff: Sandra Day
Additional Links
Back to Articles
