Alabama Expanded Learning Alliance

🎉 Congratulations to the programs selected to participate in the Flags of Valor and Alabama Expanded Learning Alliance (AELA) partnership celebrating America's 250th Birthday!

We are proud to partner with:

YMCA of the Shoals
Douglas Middle School
Montgomery Public Schools
Muscle Shoals City Schools/Community Education
Grace Klein Community
Muscle Shoals
Gadsden City Schools
Butler County Schools
Jackson County
Franklin County
Midfield City
Carbon Hill Elementary
The Care Center
Tuscaloosa City
Arsenal Place Selma
Kilby Laboratory School
Pike County High School (Brundidge)

Together, these outstanding programs will help Alabama lead the nation in celebrating America's 250th Birthday through out-of-school time learning. We can't wait to see students explore our nation's history, create their Flags of Valor projects, and connect with their communities through this special initiative.

Thank you for helping make this historic celebration one to remember!

Adolescence is a period where relationships, belonging, and identity formation are central to development. Research shows that strong peer connections and supportive adult relationships are protective factors for mental health.

But many young people are spending more time in digital environments while having fewer opportunities for meaningful, in-person engagement.

This isn’t just about screen time. It’s about access to environments that support healthy development.

Youth development programs help create those environments. They offer consistent relationships, dedicated spaces, and engaging opportunities where young people can build skills, confidence and a sense of belonging as they find their footing in the world.

These experiences don’t happen by chance. They are intentionally built to keep young people engaged and coming back.

If new public resources become available through social media litigation, investing in these programs is a practical way to strengthen the conditions that support youth well-being.

Fund IRL is working to ensure that connection is part of the response.

Join us: FundIRL.org.

STEM meets soccer! Hands-on learning that keeps kids engaged all summer long.

Visit Mizzen to access the entire collection and turn every program session into a winning play. https://bit.ly/4wgI2g7

⚽ New on Mizzen: soccer meets STEM in a ready-to-run learning experience!

Built for grades 3–8 and designed for real-world settings like afterschool, summer camp, and community programs, the new MLS STEM Goals learning collection from our partners at Learn Fresh helps youth explore math, teamwork, and strategy through active gameplay and real-world data.

It’s fun, engaging, and relevant. And the best part? It’s 100% free thanks to generous partners and donors committed to access and equity.

Visit Mizzen to access the entire collection and turn every program session into a winning play. https://bit.ly/4wgI2g7

Order your Dolly Parton Alabama License Plate and help inspire a love of reading in children. 📚 Every plate purchased provides a child with a year of free books from your local Imagination Library! Pre-commit at https://mydmv.revenue.alabama.gov/tap/_/

Our very own Lindsey Blevins! We are so proud of you! 👏

12.6M kids lack access to summer programming Cost, transportation and availability are barriers to these programs despite strong interest from families, an Afterschool Alliance report finds.

Summer programs earn high marks! 96% of Alabama parents with a child in a summer program have a positive experience! See what parents are saying at https://afterschoolalliance.org/AA3PM/data/alabama/demand

On Memorial Day, we pause in gratitude for the heroes who served our nation and never made it home.

Too many Alabama young people are missing out on safe, engaging summer opportunities. 3 in 5 children in Alabama do not have access to a program that their families want for them. Read more about unmet demand in https://afterschoolalliance.org/AA3PM/data/alabama/demand