Friday, March 7, 11:59 PM
Registration for Day of Action closes.
We are excited to have you join us on March 25 at the State Capitol in Albany for the Power of 3:00 Afterschool Day of Action 2025! At the Afterschool Day of Action, supporters of afterschool, summer, and expanded learning programs will gather to highlight afterschool programs and reinforce why we need increased state investments to improve access to high-quality afterschool programs for New York’s youth and families.
We hope to maximize participation from afterschool advocates, including afterschool professionals, families, and youth themselves, by creating new opportunities to showcase afterschool programs. This landing page will include all relevant information participants will need to prepare and make the most of their experience this year.
The Day of Action will be different from past events. Find out more details below.
Tentative Day of Action Schedule
9:30 am- 10:30 am: Registration (The Well)
10:30 am-11:45 am: New York’s Afterschool Spotlight (The Well)
11:45 am-12:00 pm: Prep for Afterschool Expo (Well Wall)
12:00 pm-2:30 pm: “Afterschool in Action” Expo (Well Wall)
12:00pm-2:30pm: Self-guided Activities
2:30pm-3:00pm: Conclusion (The Well)
*There will be no scheduled legislative meetings. Participants who wish to meet with their legislators are encouraged to coordinate and arrange meetings independently.*
*Refreshments and snacks will be available throughout the event, but lunch will be on your own.*
Important Dates to Know
Afterschool Spotlight
Attend the main event to experience inspiring speakers, performances, icebreakers, and interactive activities! Please note, to ensure ample time for engagement, the number of speakers will be limited.
Expo
Showcase the exciting activities happening in your afterschool programs—whether it’s robotics, arts, games, or more—at designated tables in an expo-style setting throughout the day. Get creative and earn bonus points by engaging participants in an interactive activity!
Complete this form by March 14 to secure a table.
Advocacy and Networking
Join us to connect with fellow participants and dive deeper into the dynamic afterschool landscape. Discover the impactful work happening across New York’s afterschool programs and get inspired by the collective efforts shaping the future of youth development in the state!
Self-Guided Activities
Make the most of your day at the Capitol by engaging your group in a variety of activities. Explore the full menu of self-guided options to tailor your experience and deepen your involvement!
Self-Guided Activities
1. Take a tour of the Capitol…
- Guided Tour: If you have a group of 10 or more, reservations must be made by contacting the Plaza Visitor Center via email Tours@ogs.ny.gov or calling 518-474-2418.
- Self-guided tours – Consider these virtual visits beforehand.
Or go see:
- The Plaza Art Collection
- Corning Tower Observation Deck
- State Museum
- The Egg Performing Arts Center
2. Sit in on a session in the Senate or Assembly Chamber. Legislators convene during session (normally in the afternoon) to deliberate issues and priorities.
3. Schedule and meet with your state representative(s). NYSNYS is not scheduling any meetings but encourage you to meet with legislators to reinforce the need for more afterschool funding.
4. Explore and take photos at the Capitol grounds. NYSNYS will provide a digital scavenger hunt you may choose to participate in.
5. Engage with others at the Expo. Network, share experiences, and learn about other programs and participants.
To know before Afterschool Day of Action
**The Network for Youth Success’ Day of Action may consist of lobbying activities. The amount of permissible lobbying varies for organizations. Please inquire with your legal team and New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government if you have any questions.**
Please see below for important information and responses to questions concerning the Day of Action. If you still have questions, reach out to Trudy at Trudy@NetworkForYouthSuccess.org.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE DAY OF ACTION
The Afterschool Day of Action is a sequel to our Legislative Day this year. It is an opportunity for supporters of afterschool to come together to celebrate and spotlight the importance of afterschool, summer, and other expanded learning programs to our communities. As a participant, we want you to feel empowered to share your story about what afterschool means to you; and demonstrate the impact it has had on you and your community.
The Network for Youth Success will have space in the Well of the Legislative Office Building at the State Capitol in Albany reserved for advocates. Participants coming to the Capitol will check in with Network staff.
The Capitol is large and busy this time of year. There will be other events, and advocates along with legislators and their staff. It’s an energizing experience, but keep in mind that communication with your groups and staff is important to stay together.
Please be sure to wear comfortable shoes and come prepared to have a good time!
Please note:
- There are elevators available; however, they are often limited and consistently in use. Some groups may choose to take the stairs.
- At this time, the New York State Capitol does not have all gender or single-use restrooms. The options available in the Capitol Building and the Legislative Office Building are multi-use, gendered restrooms.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Why are we hosting this event in the State Capitol?
We want increased funding to state afterschool programs in the state budget, which the legislature must pass by April. And there is no better way than showing the impact of afterschool programs! This year’s budget priorities calls for an additional $180 million to enhance and expand the Learning and Enrichment After-school Program Supports (LEAPS) grant; $5 million of the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) funds towards school-age child care quality support through the NYS Network for Youth Success; and supports the creation of a permanent state child care fund of $1.2 billion to increase child care worker compensation.
To see more details and read the full budget priorities, click here.
How can I be involved if I am unable to attend in person?
We recommend participating with us online through our X page, @NYSYouthSuccess, and through the hashtag #AfterschoolRisingNY. Resharing updates from our Day of Action will help uplift the message and show decisionmakers the reach of afterschool!
What other opportunities are there to continue engaging in afterschool advocacy efforts?
Sign up for the Power of 3 listserv to keep up to date on all afterschool advocacy efforts. As opportunities become available, this weekly newsletter will be the first place to check!
If you are interested in learning more about how to effectively advocate for afterschool, check out the Power of 3:00 Webinar Series here.
Can I still attend the Day of Action if I am unable to participate the entire scheduled time?
Yes, if you’re unable to attend the entire day, consider joining us for the main event, scheduled from 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM.
Who do I contact if I have an emergency and I am unable to attend the Day of Action?
If you are unable to attend and it is before the Day of Action, please send an email to Trudy: Trudy@NetworkForYouthSuccess.org
LOGISTICS
Where is parking available?
There are various, paid parking lots around the State Capitol including metered street parking. Please visit the Capitol’s visitor parking page for further details on available lots and pricing.
What items are prohibited in the Capitol Building?
Each individual entering the Capitol will be required to go through security. This will include passing through a metal detector and bags scanned through an x-ray machine. Backpacks and large bags should be left behind. Sharp objects such as pocket knives, nail clippers, scissors, weapons, locks (such as luggage or gym locks) and nuisance devices such as whistles and noisemakers are not allowed into the building.
Once you have gone through security we encourage you to stay within the State Capitol or LOB. If you need to go outside for any reason, you will need to go back through security (lines can be very long at certain times during the day).
Where will registration be?
The registration table for Afterschool Advocacy Day will be in the Legislative Office Building in The Well. This space is in the center of the first floor.
What materials or supplies should I bring?
You may bring signs (without sticks or poles as they are not permitted in the Capitol) in support of afterschool programming and one-pagers/ impact reports about the programs you participate in to share with legislative offices.
Will food be provided?
The Network will provide some refreshments and snacks throughout the day. Lunch will be on your own. Each group will have time set aside within their schedules to eat lunch. Lunch options are available in the Empire State Plaza Concourse, located just outside the security checkpoint between the LOB and the Capitol. Dining and catering options available for participants are available.
The day is also long and involves a lot of walking, so we recommend bringing a bottle of water and some snacks. There are no water fountains in the Legislative Building, only available throughout the Capitol.
I plan on staying the night in Albany, what hotels are nearby?
Below are options for staying near the State Capitol building.
Renaissance Albany Hotel
144 State Street, Albany, New York
(518) 992-2500
Hampton Inn & Suites
25 Chapel Street, Albany, New York
(518) 432-7000
Hilton Albany
40 Lodge Street, Albany, New York
(518)-462-6611
Another hotel option that is a bit further away.
Holiday Inn Express
300 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207
(518) 434-4111
YOUTH & FAMILY PARTICIPATION
General tips for engaging youth and families in advocacy
The Network’s Power of 3:00 Webinar on Youth and Family engagement includes a panel discussion from experts that have experience in engagement of youth and families at advocacy events. Topics covered include: logistics, preparing youth and families to participate, tips to ensure the experience is meaningful, and recommendations for involving youth and families in the planning process. Watch the recording here.
How do I best prepare youth and families for Advocacy Day?
We recommend connecting with youth and families to help them understand the event and planning with them to ensure they are excited about the experience. Centering youth voice and helping them develop their story and experience about their afterschool program is important to uplift their voice.
Organizations that have attended Advocacy Day in the past have used the opportunity to create lessons on civic engagement and the importance of advocacy. It can be helpful to explain that legislators and their staff are individuals from the community that are meant to represent the youth and families, and that their voice is important.
Lunch/Process for using outside vendors for food
Catering options available for Advocacy Day participants are available here. School group dining options are available for pre-ordering from Au Bon Pain or Prime at the Plaza. We recommend groups to use these available vendors for group ordering, as groups have met challenges bringing food from outside vendors into the Legislative Office Building and through security in the past. If you would prefer an outside vendor like Subway, Panera Bread, etc. for food, it is recommended to request for dock access for a more seamless delivery. Please note that the delivery driver and their car must be cleared at least 24 hours before delivering, thus, the food cannot be delivered by a “random” delivery driver from DoorDash, UberEats, etc. Those interested in ordering food for a large group from an outside vendor should contact Trudy (Trudy@NetworkforYouthSuccess.Org) to complete the delivery form.
What size groups of youth are most effective to bring to Advocacy Day?
Groups of no more than 15 (between parents/caregivers and youth) are recommended to maintain a reasonable level for management. Please keep in mind that the Capitol is large and busy this time of year when deciding group size.
Where will the bus be expected to drop youth off and park?
For those coming with buses, participants can be dropped off at the entrance to the Empire State Plaza concourse on Madison Avenue (next to the NYS Museum – 263 Madison Ave, Albany, NY 12210). Information on bus parking at the McCarty Avenue Lot can be found here. The McCarty Avenue Lot, off Thruway Exit 23, reserves parking for buses dropping off groups at the Empire State Plaza. Bus parking is free of charge; reservations are not required.
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