The National AfterSchool Association (NAA), the voice of the afterschool profession and lead organization for the advancement of afterschool professionals and leaders, selected Lindsy Weaver, Director, 21st Century Community Learning Centers Programs, Fairbanks, AK, as one of NAA’s 2023 Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders.
The Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders highlights emerging young leaders who are active in the broader afterschool community, demonstrate contributions that have started to influence beyond individual programs to entire organizations and communities, are actively engaged in efforts to elevate the afterschool field, have a proven passion for development of themselves and others, and demonstrate persistence in their work to grow as leaders.
Nominated not once, not twice, but three times, Lindsy’s colleagues in Fairbanks agree that she is deserving of national recognition, noting that she “is a strong leader and sets exemplary examples of professionalism, leadership, and goals”. Another nominator touched on the priorities that Lindsy accomplished in just her first year (2021) as Director alone, including “increasing collaboration with Alaska Native Organizations and Educators, creating University of Alaska Partnerships, including Special Olympics in our programs and partnering to increase special education funding so our programs could serve more students with special needs” as well as bringing in Social Workers to programs, and creating high-quality communications tools for the program.
"The National AfterSchool Association knows that strong afterschool leaders develop the skilled professionals and teams that run strong organizations and quality programs that result in positive youth outcomes,” said Gina Warner, President and CEO of NAA. “These emerging leaders will help shape the afterschool field and profession for years to come.”
In Alaska, 21,584 children participate in afterschool programs, spending an average of over 6 hours a week in them. These programs promote family economic stability by allowing parents to work outside of school hours, support healthy social, emotional, and academic development, and greatly reduce youth engagement in risky behaviors. With emerging leaders in afterschool like Lindsy at the helm, Alaska’s future in afterschool (which is ranked 4th in the nation) is looking brighter than ever.