Recorded live from the podcast lounge at the BOOST Conference 2026, this conversation is all about the people behind afterschool programs and why caring adults matter so much in the lives of young people. We talk about how the needs of kids are changing, what it looks like to be a mentor today, and how afterschool spaces can become places where students feel safe, comfortable, heard, and valued.
We also dig into how policy decisions connect to real programs happening every day in communities. From data to storytelling, the episode explores how educators and youth professionals are working to create meaningful experiences for students while also pushing for the support and funding these programs need to grow.
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