The nonprofit Ignite Afterschool recognized Miller and other community leaders around the state for their dedication to quality, accessible afterschool programs.
On October 26, Jayne Miller, Superintendent of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), was one of 12 people across Minnesota recognized for their ongoing work to enhance the quality of afterschool programs and improve access to them for all youth.
The occasion was the first-ever Minnesota Afterschool Champion Awards, presented as part of the 18th annual Lights On Afterschool event at the Weisman Art Museum on the University of Minnesota’s Minneapolis campus.
Lights On Afterschool is a nationwide celebration focused on the importance of afterschool programs. Research shows that young people who regularly participate in afterschool programs attend school more often, do better in school, and are more likely to avoid risky behaviors. These programs also support working families and prepare our next generation for success. Despite these proven benefits, large gaps persist in access to afterschool programs in Minnesota.
In presenting Superintendent Miller with the Afterschool Champion Award, Jack Tamble, executive director of Minneapolis Community Education, noted that during Miller’s seven-year tenure, Minneapolis’ park system has been ranked #1 in the U.S. by the Trust for Public Land five times. He also remarked on Miller’s expansion of the Youthline program and the unique approach and innovative strategy of Pop-Up Parks in involving more young people in recreational activities.
As part of her remarks, Miller cited a statistic that drives home the importance of such programs: 85% of what adults do in their leisure time is based on what they do as kids. “A variety of positive recreational opportunities is critical to changing the lives of kids and their futures,” she said. “What they choose to do in their leisure time is based on what we do as parks and recreation professionals. I’m proud to be in Minneapolis, making a difference in the lives of thousands of kids because of the work we do at the Park Board.”
The Superintendent also recognized Assistant Superintendent Tyrize Cox and MPRB’s recreation staff. “She manages the day-to-day work of hundreds of recreation staff who are out in the field every day. They are providing athletic programs for our kids, running programs like StreetReach and Youthline, and making sure our rec centers are safe places kids can go to.”
About Ignite Afterschool
Ignite Afterschool is Minnesota’s statewide network of funders, program providers, researchers and others dedicated to young people’s engagement in afterschool and out-of-school-time programs.
About MPRB’s afterschool and out-of-school-time programs
Serving youth is fundamental to MPRB’s mission to provide places and recreation opportunities for all people to engage in activities that promote health, well-being, community, and the environment.
MPRB operates 47 year-round recreation centers and offers programs at parks without rec centers throughout the city. Its wide range of programs, sports and recreational opportunities reflects the interests and diversity of children and young people in Minneapolis; highlights are included below.
MPRB also continuously improves and innovates its programming to respond to community needs and desires. Currently those efforts are taking place through RecQuest: a comprehensive assessment that considers current and future demographic trends and encompasses all programming at all recreation centers.
MPRB Recreation and Youth Program Highlights
- 47 Recreation Centers serve as safe and welcoming places for all—including some 90,000 visits by unaccompanied young people with Active Passes—offering gyms, game rooms, homework help and afterschool programs.
- StreetReach’s outreach teams engage approximately 23,000 young people at dozens of events and gatherings, connecting them to safe places, neighborhood resources and adult mentors.
- Youth Sports draw nearly 7,000 young athletes to 11 different year-round sports, from baseball and basketball to soccer and gymnastics.
- Youthline engages more than 5,000 12- to 16-year-olds with year-round out-of-school-time programs and activities at 17 parks, themed around health, career development, leadership, life skills and more.
- Pop-Up Parks welcomes about 4,000 kids and young people in neighborhoods and at community events citywide; they feature sports, dance, games and music as well as family and nature programs, a library and bicycle shop.
- Rec Plus registers more than 800 children ages 5 to 12 at 17 recreation centers. It provides nearly 25,000 hours of high-quality childcare before and after school, on release days and during the summer, offering games, sports, yoga, arts and crafts, STEM projects, homework help, field trips, community gardening and more.
- Teen Teamworks offers employment and training for more than 240 economically disadvantaged youth ages 14-24. Participants worked more than 43,000 hours: at recreation centers, computer labs, and summer camps; with the Green Team and maintenance and gardening staff; and for youth sports, aquatics, Rec Plus and Freedom School programs.
- Summer Specialty Camps enroll more than 400 children in activities focused on language and culture, urban biking, kayaking and canoeing, swimming, cultural cooking and sports.
- Freedom School’s unique summer sessionshelp 40 to 50 children develop positive attitudes toward school and education, a positive cultural identity, social problem-solving skills and more.
Media Contact
Dawn Sommers
Director, Communications and Marketing
Office: 612-230-6407
dsommers@minneapolisparks.org