GACCRRA News

Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson Honored as an Aftershool Champion in Nation's Capital
Courtesy of the Georgia Aftershool Investment Council

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Afterschool Alliance honored Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson May 14th for his support for afterschool programs at the "Breakfast of Champions," a gala event in Washington, D.C. Mayor Johnson was one of 16 individuals and four organizations nationwide honored for their tireless work on behalf of afterschool programs. He was nominated by the Georgia Afterschool Investment Council (GAIC), Georgia's statewide network dedicated to ensuring Georgia's youth have access to high-quality, affordable afterschool and summer learning programs.

Mayor Johnson is the former Executive Director of The Chatham-Savannah Youth Futures Authority, a state-mandated authority responsible for addressing issues relevant to children, youth and families in Chatham County, Georgia. On April 11, 2008, he initiated a citywide Youth Summit to tackle problems of truancy, juvenile crime, and low educational attainment among youth in Savannah.

Mayor Johnson recognizes that afterschool programs are important to juvenile crime prevention and student success and has encouraged city leaders in all sectors to build a system of out-of-school-time opportunities for youth. "We are proud to honor Mayor Johnson for his leadership and commitment to afterschool and youth development. This renewed support for afterschool as a key strategy to ensure all our kids have safe and diverse learning environments after the school bell rings and during the summer months provides Georgia's youth, particularly those in the Savannah area, with a beacon of light for a brighter future" said Jill J. Riemer, Executive Director of the Georgia Afterschool Investment Council. "GAIC applauds Mayor Johnson's dedication to youth and is committed to working with Savannah's strong community afterschool leadership and building on this momentum to inspire other city afterschool efforts across the state."

The "Breakfast of Champions" is part of the seventh annual Afterschool for All Challenge which brings together hundreds of parents, educators, children, program directors and advocates from around the country for a series of events and meetings with Members of Congress. The 2008 Challenge was co-sponsored by the National League of Cities and the Afterschool Alliance. Following the "Breakfast," the nearly 500 advocates fanned out across Capitol Hill for meetings with their U.S. Senators and Representatives, and congressional staff. Georgia advocates urged Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson and Congressmen John Barrow, Nathan Deal, and David Scott to support afterschool and summer learning programs.

Other state champions honored at the Afterschool for All Challenge were: Boise Mayor David Bieter; Columbia Mayor Bob Coble; St. Paul Mayor Christopher Coleman; Kacy Conley, YMCA of Central Maryland in Baltimore; Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey; Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell; Morgantown Mayor Ron Justice; Charlotte City Council Member James Mitchell; Missouri State Representative Danie Moore; New York City Commissioner of the Department of Youth and Community Development Jeanne Mullgrav; San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom; Linda Robinson, Kentucky Department of Education; New Hampshire State Senator Kathleen Sgambati; Maxine Quintana, Denver Mayor's Office for Education and Children; and Pennsylvania State Representative Jake Wheatley.

The Georgia Afterschool Investment Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring Georgia's youth have access to high-quality, affordable afterschool and summer learning programs. For more information about the GeorgiaAfterschool Investment Council, please visit www.afterschoolga.org.

National Provider Appreciation Day: May 9 Child Care Providers to be Recognized - Arlington, VA - Child care organizations and parents across the globe are joining together the Friday before Mother’s Day, May 9, 2008, to celebrate Provider Appreciation Day.

Directors of the Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies Attend National Policy Symposium in Washington D.C. - Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (CCR&R) from across the nation attended a national policy symposium in Washington D.C. April 1-5, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill.

The Georgia Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies Celebrates the Month of the Young Child - Georgia celebrates the Month of the Child in April and the National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has designated April 13-19 as the Week of the Young Child.