✨ NJSACC Highlights NJSACC Board Member Melissa Conklin For Shining in The Field! Melissa Conklin SACC Coordinator Cherry Hill Public Schools – SACC  Did you attend an afterschool program in your youth? Tell us what you did after school usually. I did not attend an afterschool program in my youth. My days after school were mostly spent outside hanging out with my friends. We would either play on the equipment in the park across the…

✨ NJSACC Highlights Professional Kassi Radabaugh For Shining in The Field! Kassi RadabaughProgram Director Catholic Charities Child Care- Warren/Morris Counties. writes: “As a child, the afterschool program I attended at the YWCA was where so many of my core memories were made. Having strong role models as a pre-teen gave me the confidence and support I needed to grow. Now, as a Program Director for OST Programs, I have the privilege of overseeing over 300+…

✨ NJSACC Highlights Professional Marivel Ramirez For Shining in The Field! Marivel RamirezDirector of Child CareRaritan Bay Area YMCA “Children are the world’s most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.” – John F. Kennedy   

✨ NJSACC Highlights NJSACC Board Member Samuel Frisby For Shining in The Field! Mercer County Commissioner Samuel FrisbyVice President of Certification, Membership StandardsYMCA of the USA writes: “Engaging a young person with caring adults, surrounded by friends, in a place they feel safe and acknowledged is the ultimate testament of a communities village. Good out of school time programs help young people see the world the way they imagine it could be. I have observed…

NJSACC’s Quality Team Director Dagmar Wojcik Shares Her Afterschool Story! Dagmar writes: “In the field of Out-of-School Time, we all have the wonderful opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of the kids in our care and the adults they will become. My own summer experiences as a camper, CIT, and camp counselor were so positive that they not only influenced my future career choices, but also how I approach working with youth…

NJSACC’s Technical Assistance Specialist Patricia Pugliese Shares Her Afterschool Story! Did you attend an afterschool program in your youth? Tell us what you did after school usually. I attended afterschool programs both in middle and high school. In HS, I attended the school’s gymnastics club twice a week. Not a great gymnast, but I did enjoy it very much and also learned how to “spot”. This lead me to start working in an after school…

NJSACC’s Director of Policy and Youth Advocacy Tyneisha K. Gibbs Shares Her Afterschool Story! Did you attend an afterschool program in your youth? Tell us what you did after school usually. I didn’t attend formal afterschool programs but I was involved in extracurricular activities like my girl scout meetings on Elizabeth Ave. in Newark, summer camps at my church, the municipal lunch and learn at the local parks in Irvington and my Neptune middle school…

NJSACC’s Communications Coordinator Shares His Afterschool Story! Tim writes: “Afterschool and Out Of School are some of the most crucial times to learn important social and emotional skills.In school is where the mind is grown, while out of school is where spirit and future can be built up. ” Did you attend an afterschool program in your youth? Tell us what you did after school usually. Growing up in essentially the middle of nowhere, Green…

NJSACC’s Director of Expanded Learning Opportunities Dorine Francis Shares Her Afterschool Story! Dorine Francis writes: “The world of Out-of-School Time, OST, is nothing short of amazing! Whether it be a traditional afterschool program, a Saturday program, or a 6-week summer camp, the opportunity for youth to explore interests and learn new skills in a safe space while simultaneously supporting working families is truly empowering. OST fuels exposure to and builds creativity, confidence, and careers for…