AFTER-SCHOOL CHAMPION AWARD
During the NC Cap Synergy Virtual Afterschool Conference in April, the North Carolina Center for
Afterschool Programs recognized individuals, programs and organizations that have demonstrated
outstanding work in developing, supporting, and promoting high-quality afterschool and out-of-school time programs to benefit youth and families statewide The Afterschool Champion Awards are divided into two
categories: Emerging Afterschool Champions and Lifetime Afterschool Champions.
The Emerging Afterschool Champion Category spotlights individuals, programs, or organizations whose life or mission has demonstrated considerable work in developing, supporting, and promoting high-quality afterschool and out-of-school time programs to benefit youth and families. Recipients of this award have between three and 10 years of service to youth in the field.
The Lifetime Afterschool Champion Category spotlights individuals, programs, or organizations whose life
or mission has demonstrated outstanding work in developing, supporting and promoting high-quality
afterschool and out-of-school time programs to benefit youth and families. Awardees within this category
have dedicated more than ten (10) years of service to youth.
The Public School Forum’s NC Center for Afterschool Programs hosted the conference which brings together hundreds of afterschool and expanded learning program directors, staff, K-12 educators, and college faculty to share research-based information, as well as relevant strategies for engaging students and parents in the afterschool environment to help strengthen students academically, socially and emotionally.
Dr. Carolyn Banks (pictured left) accepted the award during the virtual conference after a video presentation of PIM activities was shared with the conference attendees. Dr. Banks is director of Partners In Ministry’s Strengthening Youth through Science Technology Engineering and Math afterschool program.
Amahlyia Bowman, a seventh grader enrolled in the afterschool program, was also part of the Youth Voices
panel. Amahlyia along with other students from across the state were interviewed by Amber Rupinta, who
served as the moderator for the panel. Rupinta is a reporter and anchor at ABC11 Eyewitness News.
Melba McCallum (pictured left) is the executive director
of PIM, a 501c nonprofit organization dedicated to
improving the lives of youth, families, and adults in
Scotland, Richmond, and Robeson Counties.
Partners In Ministry is a United Methodist Women’s
National Mission Institution and has served the
community for over 12 years. Through the PIM programs, 4,679 young adults have graduated through Youth Empowered to Succeed (YES) programs (proving a 100% success rate in achieving one of its goals).
The program helps students with homework, academics, STEM education, and learning excursions. SYSTEM Afterschool Program also support the social and emotional development of students, as well as provide workshops for parents.
