Zoë Costa is the director of Portland LearningWorks Afterschool program.

On Thursday, Oct. 23, millions of people across America will take part in Lights On Afterschool, a nationwide celebration of afterschool programs and the difference they make in the lives of youth and families.

As the director of Portland’s LearningWorks Afterschool (LWAS), I see that difference every single day, and I believe it’s worth shining a light on.

Afterschool programs aren’t just places for students to spend a few hours after school. They’re powerful hubs for learning, safety and growth. The mission of LearningWorks is to equip Maine learners with the confidence and skills to realize their full potential.

At LWAS, we served over 550 students across Portland, Biddeford, Saco and Waterboro last year. Our programs are free for families, thanks to strong partnerships with local school districts, donations from individuals, foundations and corporations and the support of 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants (21st CCLC) — which is the only federal funding source for afterschool and summer enrichment.

Each afternoon, our classrooms come alive with children collaborating on hands-on projects, inquiry-based STEM and enrichment lessons and social and emotional learning. You might find students engineering solar ovens, programming LEGO robotics, making pesto with fresh ingredients or strumming ukuleles. Our programming reinforces skills development without feeling like more school, and taps into students’ curiosity, helping them see themselves as capable learners.

LWAS activates entire communities by educating caregivers, connecting them with local resources and providing ample opportunities to participate in program events. Portland LWAS, for example, partnered with Locker Project this past summer to distribute weekly bags of produce to families.

There’s a critical need for afterschool programs. Families in Portland and across Maine face dual challenges of affordability and accessibility, and the achievement gap continues to widen.

For working parents, afterschool provides peace of mind that children are in safe, supportive environments. For schools, it extends learning time for struggling students in ways that are flexible to unique needs. And for kids, it offers an opportunity to belong in a community that celebrates their strengths, supports their challenges, and sparks their imaginations.

At LWAS, students gain not only academic assistance but critical skills such as collaboration, perseverance, leadership and confidence. These are the transferable tools that help them thrive in both school and in life.

Research collected by the Afterschool Alliance shows that every $1 invested in afterschool programs saves $3 by increasing kids’ earning potential, improving academic performance and reducing crime and welfare costs. Further, in a time of deep political division, afterschool receives broad bipartisan support: 90% of Democrats, 74% of Republicans and 66% of independents support increased public investment.

As we celebrate Lights On Afterschool, I want to recognize the many people who make programs like LWAS possible: the students who bring their authenticity and spirit each day; the school-day educators and leaders who partner with us to ensure continuity; the dedicated program staff who bring creativity every afternoon; the families who trust us; the community partners — like Maine Audubon and 317 Main — who expand what’s possible for our kids; and the legislators who prioritize 21st CCLC funding.

But recognition alone isn’t enough. Afterschool programs are chronically underfunded, and demand consistently outpaces supply. If all of Maine’s children are to succeed, we must continue investing in out-of-school-time learning, protect federal and state funding streams and broaden community support.

This month, as LWAS joins thousands of communities across the country in “keeping the lights on,” I hope we also keep our focus on what’s at stake: ensuring that every child has a safe and engaging place to go after school, caring adults to guide them, and opportunities to explore their passions.

When we keep the lights on for afterschool, we invest not only in programs, but in the future of our children, our schools and our communities.