245 State St. SE; 2nd Floor
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Shannon L. Harris, OCC Executive Director
(616) 456.3558; sharris@grand-rapids.mi.us
Branden Pecor, ELO Program Coordinator
(616) 456.3558; eloafterschoolgr@gmail.com
Lights On Afterschool Pre-Bash
The Expanded Learning Opportunities Network, managed by Our Community’s Children, is hosting its annual Lights On Afterschool Pre-Bash on Wednesday, October 23rd from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. This free event is the day before the national Lights On Afterschool celebration that shines the light on the critical role afterschool programs play in the lives of children, youth and families. The event includes free admission to the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, refreshments, PJ Da DJ, a talent show, prizes and much more!
To register your attendance, please click here.
ELO Annual Meeting Recap
It is hard to believe that another year has gone by. This year has no doubt been an unprecedented one but there are still things to be grateful for things in which to celebrate. ELO Network members joined us virtually on Friday, November 6th from 9 to 11 a.m. for the ELO Annual Meeting – Zoomed Out: From Frustration to Inspiration.
Members were acknowledged for having to weather the storm personally and professionally while simultaneously delivering quality content to youth using virtual platforms. This year, ELO memberships grew by 58% from the previous year with 43 registered members of which 9 being new members. The Leadership Council unanimously voted in three new members to the Leadership Council: Cole Williams, Christy Knetsch, and Stephanie Rosalez.
The ELO Year in Review portion of the meeting highlighted a partnership with the National League of Cities and the US Tennis Association that offered a tennis clinic to ELO memberships and GRPS physical education teachers. The ELO Network also facilitated a third year of the STEAM PLC. The PLC explored Studio Park before its grand opening to explore STEAM careers that exist therein. Members also learned about the watershed and the ecosystem of the Grand River with Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds (LGROW). With the assistance of Camp Newaygo and the Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation Department, the PLC paddled with precision on the Grand River. The Mary Free Bed branch of the YMCA hosted a workshop on their Cook It Up curriculum. Every letter of STEAM from decorating pumpkins to following a pumpkin pancake recipe was realized. Then the Diatribe facilitated a lesson plan merging spoken word with social justice. Lastly, the year in review highlighted the ELO Quality Committee’s Lunch & Learn Series with underscored the necessity of SEL integration with specific emphasis on race and identity.
After a threat of cancellation because of the pandemic, ELO members were graced with an episode of the Casey & Shannon Show and were given an exclusive. The C&S Show will premiere on Netflix … sometime in the (near) very distant future. And finally, the keynote speaker Aaron Jackson, reiterated and personified the message of grace we all need to extend to one another always but especially now.