Michigan Afterschool Partnership

Monroe and Livingston County, we are looking for young people ready to lead.

WYFY applications close Wednesday, September 9. Young people ages 14–18 can help shape out-of-school time and youth sports programs, make real decisions, build leadership skills, and earn up to $3,500 for full participation.

If you know a young person in Monroe or Livingston County whose ideas should be in the room, send this opportunity directly to them today: https://ow.ly/xhnk50ZKE2L

This is what investing in Michigan families looks like. The historic $135 million investment in Out-of-School Time will help more young people access safe, supportive opportunities to learn and grow while giving working families greater peace of mind.

Thank you, Senator Sarah Anthony, for championing afterschool and the young people, families, and communities it serves!

Proud to help deliver a historic $135 million investment in our recent budget that expands opportunities for students and supports working families!

Two weeks from today, Assessing Through Care: Culturally Rooted & Trauma-Informed Observation in OST will give OST professionals practical ways to:

• Recognize belonging cues
• Understand behavior as communication
• Conduct an environmental audit

Wednesday, September 16 | 10:00–11:30 a.m. ET | Virtual | Free

Register: https://ow.ly/ygiu50ZIVvg

Today is the final day to register for the 2026 MAC Leadership Summit at the $100 early-bird rate.

Join leaders from across Michigan's out-of-school time field for a day of practical learning, honest conversation, new connections, and space to reconnect with the purpose behind your work.

October 9 | Riverfront Conference Center in Flint
Early-bird registration: $100 through tonight
Regular registration: $125 beginning September 1

Explore the agenda and save your spot: https://ow.ly/3KrF50ZHrAW

What if the most useful program data is already in the room?

Join MASP for Assessing Through Care: Culturally Rooted & Trauma-Informed Observation in OST. Explore how to gather qualitative data on belonging cues versus triggers, understand behavior as communication, and audit physical and relational safety. Participants leave with practical observational tools for authentic program assessment.

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 10:00–11:30 a.m. ET | Virtual | Free
Facilitated by Carlos Da Silva.

Register today: https://ow.ly/UJva50ZG6GJ

Your voice should carry real weight.

WYFY is recruiting young people ages 14–18 from Southeast Michigan for a paid leadership experience. Members help shape out-of-school time and youth sports programs, make real decisions, and lead change in their communities.

Participants can earn up to $3,500. If you have ideas about what programs for young people should look like, we want to hear them.

Apply by September 9: https://ow.ly/PmKC50ZG5R4

Michigan parents are clear: afterschool is a powerful place for STEM learning.

New America After 3PM data show:

• 93% of Michigan parents report that their young person has access to STEM through afterschool, up from 60% in 2014.
• 77% say afterschool helps young people build STEM interests and skills.
• 62% value STEM as part of their young person’s afterschool experience.

Afterschool gives young people room to experiment, build, question, create, and discover where their curiosity might lead. That is not extra. It is part of preparing Michigan’s next generation of thinkers, problem-solvers, and leaders.

LearningLearn more: https://ow.ly/7ms150ZFEUQ

Strong leadership starts with knowing what keeps you grounded.

At the 2026 MAC Leadership Summit, Sarah Weisbarth will present “Rooted Leadership: Growing People, Teams, and Organization from Purpose.”

This interactive session will help executive directors, program leaders, and leadership teams move beyond managing people and begin intentionally developing them. Participants will leave with practical tools to clarify their leadership purpose, support staff growth, and develop emerging leaders within their organizations.

Join youth development professionals and advocates from across Michigan on October 9 in Flint.

Register by August 31 to secure the $100 early-bird rate:
https://ow.ly/SrVb50ZFb8F

West Michigan, what does out-of-school time look like in your community?

MASP’s Region 4 Listening Sessions are a place for providers, partners, young people, families, and community leaders to share what is working, where barriers remain, and what support would make the region’s OST network stronger.

Choose the virtual session that works for you:
• Wednesday, August 26, 9:00–10:00 a.m.
• Thursday, August 27, 5:30–6:30 p.m.

You do not need to be a current MASP partner to participate. Join the conversation.

Michigan’s largest-ever investment in out-of-school time is moving forward.

The application window is now open for $135 million in 2026–27 Section 32n funding. Eligible community organizations, public libraries, municipalities, higher education institutions, Tribal governments, and intermediate districts can apply to support before-school, afterschool, and summer programming.

Applications are due September 23 at noon ET. https://ow.ly/3Z2Z50ZEW6C