A Place to Belong, a Future to Discover: Lights On Afterschool in Howard County

“I am grateful to the Boys and Girls Club for giving me the place to grow, the opportunities to lead, and the confidence to believe in what I can accomplish. My journey is not over, but in many ways, it’s only beginning.”

A young Club member’s words captured the meaning behind Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore’s Lights On Afterschool celebrations at Harper’s Choice Middle School and Howard Community College on October 22, 2026.

Across all of our Clubs, youth, families, educators and community partners came together to celebrate what happens beyond the school day: friendships take shape, confidence grows and new possibilities come into view.

Organized by the Afterschool Alliance, Lights On Afterschool is a nationwide celebration highlighting the importance of afterschool programs to children, families and communities. Launched in 2000, the annual initiative shines a light on the experiences that help young people learn, discover new interests and develop their strengths.

Our Future Is Bright at Harper’s Choice

At Harper’s Choice Middle School, the theme “Lights On: Our Future Is Bright” put young people’s voices at the center of the celebration. Members led the welcome program, sharing their perspectives on community, leadership and their futures.

For one young speaker, community began with friendship.

“When I think about my community, I think about my friends. The ones who can turn the smallest moment into the funniest memory. The ones who know how to make me laugh even when no one else can.”

Those everyday connections are an essential part of the Club experience. Alongside opportunities to learn and lead, young people need places where they can laugh, be themselves and feel that they belong.

The open house was designed to encourage that connection through creative projects, interactive challenges and opportunities to share aspirations, including a collaborative “Make Your Mark” wall.

Afterschool Alliance representatives Jennifer Rinehart and Anita Krishnamurthi visited both Club locations, connecting with staff, families and young people. In a follow-up message, Rinehart praised the middle school members’ welcome program and described the “feeling of connection and community” as “incredibly strong.”

Lighting the Path to What’s Next at HCC

At Howard Community College, the theme “Lighting the Path to What’s Next” highlighted the opportunities created by a Boys & Girls Club operating on a college campus.

The celebration invited families and campus partners to explore how afterschool programming connects academic success, leadership, healthy lifestyles and the arts with college and career possibilities. The campus setting gives young people an opportunity to see higher education as part of their own potential futures.

“Our goal is to demonstrate how intentional partnerships between higher education institutions and community-based organizations can create pathways to academic achievement, career exploration, leadership development and long-term success for young people,” said Candice Brown, BGCMB’s Club Manager for Howard County.

During their visit, Afterschool Alliance representatives toured the HCC Club and spent time with A’lanni, the Club’s Junior Youth of the Year. They also recognized members’ artistic talent, encouraging the Club to participate in a future Lights On Afterschool poster contest.

The visit offered national advocates a firsthand look at how local partnerships create meaningful opportunities for young people.

An Impact That Lasts

BGCMB’s Senior Director of Club Operations, Wes Pindell IV, shared remarks reflecting on the lifelong influence of afterschool experiences—a message that resonated with the visiting Afterschool Alliance team.

“The impact of afterschool doesn’t end when a young person goes home,” said Pindell. “The relationships they build, the confidence they gain and the opportunities they discover can stay with them into adulthood. That’s why this work matters every day.”

That lasting impact was reflected in the young speaker’s hopes for her own journey.

“I want to keep growing, not only as a leader, but as a student, a friend, and a person who knows how to make positive influences in her community.”

Across a middle school and a college campus, the celebrations showed BGCMB’s promise in action: a place to belong, find joy and keep growing. Through caring relationships and opportunities to discover what they can accomplish, young people are building their futures—and finding the confidence to help shape their communities.