Lights On Afterschool 2025: New Jersey Shines Bright
This October New Jersey turned up the brightness for afterschool programs statewide as communities, schools, and partners came together to celebrate Lights On Afterschool. We were honored to see Governor Phil Murphy officially proclaim October 23 as Lights On Afterschool Day in New Jersey, a public recognition that underscores how vital afterschool programs are to students, families, and neighborhoods across our state.
Lights On Afterschool is a nationwide moment of celebration and advocacy that sparks thousands of events each year — from open houses and student showcases to community conversations and public art displays. The Afterschool Alliance has long encouraged programs to use the day to amplify their stories and reach new audiences, and this year was no different. The national movement gives local work a national stage and helps translate one day of celebration into year-round advocacy and support.
New Jersey Legislators and Community Leaders Help Shine a Light On Afterschool and OST and The Role it Plays
Across New Jersey we saw that energy in action. Schools and districts shared photos of student performances and hands-on activities, municipal accounts highlighted city-wide celebrations, and local partners posted moments of joyful learning and meaningful reflection. From Newark to East Orange and beyond, programs used the day to show what afterschool looks like when kids are engaged, supported, and given space to grow. Those on-the-ground snapshots made the case that afterschool is essential to both learning and community resilience.
In a glowing tribute to afterschool, two of New Jersey’s iconic bridges — the Trenton‑Morrisville Toll Bridge and the Philipsburg‑Clark Toll Bridge — were lit up in vibrant colors to mark the occasion. The visual spectacle served as a powerful metaphor: when afterschool programs are supported, the entire community lights up. This landmark recognition invited broader public awareness and helped make the message resonate beyond program walls and classrooms.
Such a proclamation and visual display are more than symbolic. They elevate our collective voice, give us a platform to hold events with momentum, and signal to policymakers and communities alike that afterschool programs are essential to the fabric of New Jersey. With the governor’s backing, the message gets louder: these programs matter.
Thank you to every site, staff member, family, youth, and partner who helped make Lights On Afterschool 2025 a meaningful day in New Jersey. Let’s ride this wave of visibility into stronger programs, deeper partnerships, and renewed support for the kids who rely on afterschool every day. When afterschool thrives, our communities shine.
