Reflecting on a Year of Serving Out-of-School Time

This past year, I had the privilege of serving as the Advancing Afterschool Fellow with the Alaska Afterschool Network, a program of Alaska Children’s Trust. It was a year filled with inspiring work, new connections, and a deeper understanding of the role out-of-school time (OST) programs play in communities across Alaska.

One of the most impactful moments of my fellowship was attending the Alaska Out-of-School Time Conference. I got to meet passionate OST professionals from around the state, participate in workshops, and gain a broader view of the OST landscape in Alaska. I also participated in the Child and Youth Care Credential course, which helped me build a strong foundation in youth development practices and trauma-informed care. The course gave me practical tools for supporting young people and reinforced how important it is to approach this work with empathy and consistency.

During my fellowship, I took the lead on organizing several statewide campaigns and events. In coordinating the I Love Afterschool Campaign, I gathered stories from across the state that spoke to the real impact afterschool programs have – how they offer young people a sense of safety, belonging, and possibility. That same spirit of recognition carried into Afterschool Appreciation Week, where I helped lead the nomination process and worked with a committee to spotlight afterschool superheroes who go above and beyond supporting youth every day.

In addition to elevating stories and public awareness, I also contributed to research and advocacy efforts within the out-of-school time space. In the fall, I conducted a survey on afterschool needs in Anchorage and developed a one-pager summarizing the findings, which was presented at the Lights on Afterschool Showcase. The project identified some of the major barriers to expanding OST access within the municipality – most notably, challenges with retaining qualified staff and barriers preventing increased afterschool enrollment. The process also gave me valuable experience in community-centered research. Later in the year, I supported preparation for the Network’s legislative fly-in by compiling background materials on Alaska legislators and mapping afterschool programs by district - resources designed to strengthen advocacy efforts.

Outside of my fellowship, I volunteered with the Boys & Girls Club of Southcentral Alaska and Girls on the Run of Southcentral Alaska. These experiences allowed me to see Alaska’s afterschool programs up close. Whether I was coaching, mentoring, or simply sharing space with young people, I saw the heart of this work firsthand - and I had the most amazing time! It reminded me that afterschool is not just policy or programming - it’s people, relationships, and moments that matter.

Thank you to the Alaska Afterschool Network and Alaska Children’s Trust for this incredible opportunity. This fellowship has been a chance to grow and give back to my new community, lessons I’ll hold onto as I continue my path in youth work.

 Hollis Long is an Alaska Fellow with the Alaska Afterschool Network. Alaska Afterschool Network, a program of the Alaska Children’s Trust, is the leading statewide organization dedicated to increasing access to afterschool and summer learning programs for school-age children, youth and families in Alaska.