Keely, Waymer champion afterschool and summer programs in The Post and Courier

As parents rush to find summer programs for their children, Furman University’s Amy Keely and Zelda Waymer write an opinion piece in The Post and Courier about the importance of supporting out-of-school-time programs in South Carolina. Keely, director of S.C. Afterschool Leaders Empowered at Furman’s Riley Institute, and Waymer, president and chief executive officer at S.C. Afterschool Alliance, say that for many families, summer programs are out of reach due to high costs, low supply and other logistical constraints, but they remain paramount to the state’s economy and overall wellbeing. Beyond supporting working families, the authors say out-of-school programs strengthen the state’s workforce and ensure that young people have downstream opportunities to thrive.

“Families across South Carolina shouldn’t have to scramble each summer to find safe, enriching opportunities for their children,” they write. “Afterschool and summer programs are not a luxury. They are essential infrastructure — for working families, for student success and for the future of our state.”

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