Our WTS Philadelphia Student Outreach Program was awarded the Afterschool Impact Award for Outstanding Program! This award, presented by the Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool Youth Development Network (PSAYDN), was given for demonstrating exceptional efforts in creating, supporting, and promoting high-quality afterschool and out-of-school-time programs that positively impact children, youth, and families throughout Pennsylvania during the 2024 calendar year. We are grateful to the Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network and the ELO/Empower conference for this prestigious honor.

According to PSAYDN, the return on investment of afterschool programs in Pennsylvania concludes that, for every $1 invested in an afterschool program in the Commonwealth, $6.69 is returned in potential benefits associated with reducing high school dropouts, teen pregnancy, substance abuse disorder, crime, and delinquency.

Thank you to our 2024 Student Outreach Team whose efforts led to this award: Danielle Schroeder, PE, ENV SP (Student Outreach Director), Gina Venuto-Gabriella (TrYOU Co-Chair), Madelyn Marquardt (TrYOU Co-Chair), Theresa Loux, PhD, PE, ENV SP (Scholarship Chair), Cory Wyffels, PE (Student Chapter Co-Chair), and Blaire Miran (Student Chapter Co-Chair).

Also, thank you to Api Appulingam, PE, AAE (2024 WTS Philadelphia President), who was present at the 2025 ELO and EMPOWER Pennsylvania Out-of-School Time Conference Awards Celebration held in Harrisburg on Thursday, February 27th, to accept the award on behalf of the WTS Philadelphia Student Outreach Program.