From Gangs and Arrests to Afterschool and Good Grades

Jasmine was just 12 and in the the 6th grade when she started to disengage from Jasmineschool. Nothing in the classroom captivated her attention. She had no clubs, sports or activities to pursue afterschool. "I had nothing to do afterschool so I was bored," she says. In search of excitement, she started hanging out with the wrong crowd and ultimately was arrested three times before the age of 15.

Fortunately for Jasmine, she was referred to an afterschool program that paired her with a mentor who encouraged her to change her group of friends. She was also given the tutoring she needed to get back on track academically and the enrichment activities she needed to discover her passion.

Today, Jasmine is on pace to graduate with her peers and is enjoying competing regionally in cheerleading competitions. Neither would have been possible had she not attended a quality afterschool program.

Teens who do not participate in afterschool programs are nearly three times more likely to skip school or use drugs. (Fight Crime: Invest in Kids). Participation in various structured out-of-school time activities has been shown to have the greatest impact and most positive effect on those students groups who are most at risk. (National Institute of Out of School Time). In Dallas County alone, there are more than 100,000 children unsupervised each day afterschool. DASN exists to give more kids like Jasmine an opportunity to have safe, enriching afterschool time.