ASHLAND — Killian Murray joined Trinity Lutheran Church’s Beacon after-school program as a student when her mom died.
The program, which Murray said serves at-risk youth in kindergarten through fifth grade, offered a safe place to go when the school day was finished. Having that option helped Murray and her dad as they navigated a difficult time.
Murray, born and raised in Ashland, graduated from Ashland University. She earned a degree in geology and started a house-cleaning business when she finished school. But eventually, an opportunity opened up to return to her roots.
For the last two years, Murray has worked two jobs at Trinity Lutheran: one as coordinator for the church’s food pantry, and the other as director of the Beacon after-school program.
As an alum, Murray knows first-hand what the program meant for her as a student.
“A big part of it is that it’s just a safe place for students,” Murray said.
“I mean, obviously the big thing is getting homework done and making sure their academics are followed up with, but with that comes interacting with other students, learning good social skills.”
Beacon is serving 10 students, and Murray said it has room for more.
The program receives referrals from school districts. Then, Murray meets with parents to make sure it’s a good fit for their student.
The program, and others like it, offer important opportunities to children, according to a fact sheet from the Afterschool Alliance. That national group works to ensure all children have access to “affordable, quality” after-school programs.
Students who participate in after-school programs “are more engaged in school, get better grades, and are more likely to be promoted to the next grade.”
In Ohio, availability of such programs also benefits working parents. A whopping 76 percent of respondents in a 2022 survey said after-school programs for children help parents keep their jobs.
Despite the benefits, there’s not enough programming statewide to meet the needs of Ohio’s families and children.
Challenges to access in Ashland
That assessment is one Christie Krumlaw, the director of Ashland’s YMCA childcare program, shared.
She said in her opinion, there is a lack of programming for school-aged children in Ashland County.
Krumlaw pointed to the summer months as an example. She said the YMCA brought on extra staff to take in more students for its summer childcare. But even with an extra classroom open, Krumlaw said she had a waiting list all summer.
Other after-school program directors, like Murray, identified different issues Ashland County faces in its offerings.
In Murray’s estimation, the bigger challenge is making sure people know about the programming that does exist.
“There’s quite a few programs in the area, but maybe that information isn’t widely advertised to parents, what their options are and what the best option would be for their students,” Murray said.
Nichole Helenthal, the assistant superintendent at Ashland County Community Academy, and Dolores Seidel, director of the before- and after-school program at the Kroc Center, agreed.
There’s a lack of awareness about what programs are out there, Helenthal said. It makes it hard for students and parents to find good fits.
Financial struggles
Helenthal added that when it comes to at-risk students like those the Ashland County Community Academy serves, many can’t afford fees that go along with after-school programs.
Beacon, the program Murray directs for students in K-5, only costs $3 per student. Options like the YMCA have a steeper price tag.
Schools host sports teams for teens, but those cost to participate in, too. It’s not always accessible for students like the ones at Ashland County Community Academy, Helenthal said.
That’s why one of Helenthal’s first actions when she came to the academy in the 2017-2018 academic year was applying for a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant.
Those grants, doled out across the country, focus on high-poverty, low-performing schools. It’s the only form of federal funding dedicated solely to local after-school and summer programs.
Receiving one can be challenging. The grant application process is extensive, Helenthal said.
After Helenthal filled it out, the Ashland County Community Academy received funding. It lasted for a five-year period starting in 2018-2019, with the grant funding finishing up earlier this year.
With that funding, Helenthal said, Ashland County Community Academy offered a slew of after-school opportunities to its high-school aged students.
Most of those opportunities happened because teachers at the academy or other community members donated time, too.
Still, tutoring, school dances, FAFSA nights, school clubs and field trips became a reality for Helenthal’s students free of charge.
The grant also provided money for literacy resources and new technology for the school.
“There’s so many jobs and so many things they can do with their lives,” Helenthal said. “And so many of ‘em don’t see a future for themselves, and we’re determined to change that thought.
“We’re getting there, ‘cause some of ‘em are now applying to colleges. But it’s just heartbreaking at times.”
Unfortunately, when Helenthal and the academy tried to renew the grant, they didn’t receive funding again. Without it, Helenthal said parts of the after-school programming the school implemented may not continue.
Namely, field trips will be a challenge to continue unless the school can find other funding sources.
“These kids, so many of ‘em just have never gotten to do so many of these things,” Helenthal said.
“I hope we can continue taking these kids out and doing things so they can see there is a big world outside of Ashland.”
Important at all ages
Helenthal said maintaining tutoring services, clubs, school dances and more for students to engage with after school matters, even for teens.
“I’m telling you, these teenagers today need parents more while they’re teenagers because these are the decisions that are gonna formulate them down the line,” Helenthal said.
Having somewhere safe to go after school, she said, keeps them out of trouble. It gives them a healthy snack, makes sure they can get help with academics and offers a sense of community.
But it’s not just teenagers that benefit from having somewhere to go when the school day finishes.
Krumlaw lists self-advocacy, mentorship, emotional regulation and tutoring as skills her students pick up at the YMCA’s Pre-K through fifth-grade program.
Seidel, who taught for 19 years before starting in her position at the Kroc Center, added it’s a benefit to families.
By having a place where kindergarten through eighth grade students can get homework done and be safe after classes let out, she said opportunities open for time at home to focus on family.
Krumlaw said in her 34 years at the Y, she has helped students deal with all types of issues, from school bullies to parents’ divorces.
Krumlaw argued having more adults to turn to is important, even at a young age. An after-school program can provide that.
“They’ve got a support system that’s further than just their mom and dad at home,” Krumlaw said.
“We’re all pretty close here. We all really try to help those kids find their niche in life.”
