City of Omaha Mayor’s Office

October 5, 2011 – Omaha has been named one of America’s top 27 cities for its citywide afterschool system in a report issued Monday by the National League of Cities Institute for Youth, Education and Families. The report, commissioned by the Wallace Foundation, commends Omaha for its progress on factors that lead to a strong citywide afterschool system.

“Education lays the foundation for a lifetime of achievement and empowerment, and afterschool programs help children develop their unique talents and academic skills,” Mayor Jim Suttle said. The report cites Omaha’s tradition of mayoral leadership on afterschool issues, its funding of truancy prevention programming, and its efforts to coordinate a citywide afterschool system among city, school and nonprofit leaders.

Instead of funding individual programs, citywide afterschool systems streamline resources, foster high-quality programs and expand participation so more children may realize academic, personal and social benefits. This systems-building process leads to measurable gains in academic outcomes and public safety, according to the National League of Cities.

Mayor Suttle said: “Many children across Omaha go home to an empty house when they get out of school. They become vulnerable to crime, drugs, alcohol and missed opportunities. The development of our citywide afterschool system will help our youth reach their full potential and keep them away from negative influences during their out-of-school time.”

In 2011, the Mayor allocated $365,000 for truancy prevention efforts to local youth-focused organizations, including Building Bright Futures, a public/private partnership that seeks to improve educational excellence and raise academic performance throughout Omaha. Building Bright Futures uses Youth Attendance Navigators to connect at-risk youth with services and afterschool programs that reduce the likelihood they will be truant, commit crime, and participate in other risky behaviors.

The National League of Cities is the oldest and largest national organization representing city government throughout the United States. Its mission is to strengthen and promote cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. The Institute for Youth, Education and Families, a special entity within the National League of Cities, helps city leaders work to address youth and family issues in their communities. The Wallace Foundation is a national philanthropy seeking to improve education and enrichment for disadvantaged children.