KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) After-school programs across the Monadnock region provide more than a place for children to go when the school day ends. They offer opportunities for learning, recreation and social connection while helping working parents balance family and employment responsibilities.

On Wednesday’s edition of Good Morning with Dan Mitchell on WKBK Radio, Frannie Ashworth and Lauren Bressett, co-founders of the Monadnock Regional Afterschool Collective, discussed the impact of local after-school programs, the challenges of sustaining them and the vital role they play in supporting children and families throughout the region.

The collective brings together five programs operating at 15 sites across the region, from Hillsborough to Hinsdale. Together, the programs served 1,230 children last year with the help of 138 staff members.

The participating programs are Access Winchester, Hinsdale After School Program, Keene Family YMCA Out of School Program, Kid Adventures and Beyond the Bell. The YMCA also assumed operations at sites previously served by Project Keep. Keene Parks and Recreation operates a separate after-school program that is not part of the collective.

Although the programs share a commitment to providing enriching experiences outside regular school hours, their funding structures vary. Some receive school district support, while others rely on nonprofit fundraising and other resources. Finding sustainable funding and maintaining adequate staffing remain ongoing challenges.

Waitlists also fluctuate depending on staffing levels, with some programs able to accommodate more children when additional employees become available.

Beyond the Bell Offers Year-Round Opportunities

Ashworth highlighted Beyond the Bell, which is celebrating its 10th year serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

The program recently combined its Mount Caesar and Cutler operations at one location, which now serves approximately 160 children each afternoon. Its staff includes two full-time employees and about 15 additional paid workers.

Children attend from 3 to 5 p.m., with family pickup taking place between 5 and 6 p.m. Activities include outdoor play, clubs and daily academic support. Approximately 50 middle school students participate regularly out of a school population of roughly 200.

Beyond the school year, the program operates a five-week summer program Monday through Thursday, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This year, Beyond the Bell served 380 children through its summer camp, which offered 65 themes, daily swimming, Title I tutoring and participation in the library’s summer reading program.

The range of activities reflects the broader role after-school programs can play in giving children opportunities to explore interests, build relationships and remain engaged in learning outside the classroom.

Benefits Extend to Parents and Communities

Bressett discussed evaluations showing that more than 90% of participating parents reported that after-school programs improve their ability to work, reduce stress and contribute to their families’ financial stability.

The programs also provide important social opportunities, particularly for children in rural communities where access to organized activities and enrichment opportunities may be limited.

Assessments of children’s experiences point to the value of having choices, developing independence and self-management skills, exploring interests and feeling a sense of belonging. The findings also suggest that parents place greater emphasis on these broader benefits than on homework completion alone.

The collective is using its programs and community events to raise awareness about the importance of after-school opportunities through the national Lights On Afterschool initiative.

At Beyond the Bell, middle school students have taken an active role in planning a dance scheduled for Oct. 30. The event is part of a broader glow-themed celebration involving programs across the region.

For Ashworth and Bressett, the collective provides a way to highlight the work happening in communities throughout the region while drawing attention to the staffing, funding and community support needed to sustain these services.

Their discussion on WKBK offered a closer look at how local programs operate, what children gain from participating and why accessible after-school care matters to families throughout the Monadnock region.

Listen to the full interview: