FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts: Lori Trent, PAST Foundation - ltrent@pastfoundation.org
Michele Ritchlin, Ohio Afterschool Network - michele@oanohio.org
June 8, 2022
PAST Partners with Ohio Afterschool Network to Expand Community Reach
The PAST Foundation is pleased to announce a partnership with the Ohio Afterschool Network (OAN). Established in 2003, OAN is the only statewide organization dedicated to increasing high-quality afterschool and expanded learning opportunities for school-age children, youth, and families in Ohio.
With the generous support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, a $225,000 grant will be used to build a strong, diverse coalition of supporters for after-school and summer learning, build an alliance with the early childhood education community, continue work with the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators (OAESA) and request the creation of a state fund for after-school using American Rescue Plan (ARP) Funds. We will identify and develop additional ODE contacts, continue to work with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and clarify Ohioans understanding of current student needs, and their general support for these programs. This will establish OAN as the clearing house for information and resources around after-school and summer learning in Ohio, promote the OAN Professional Learning Community created with professional development partners, and support the Innovation Project of the Ohio STEM Collaborative.
“We have long valued partnerships of educators, businesses, industry, and schools to support student growth and model the power of networking to help all students realize their full potential,” said Dr. Annalies Corbin, President & CEO of the PAST Foundation. “Building student career pathways and connecting with OAN helps us expand our presence and deliver real and authentic learning experiences for all K-12 students throughout the state, beyond Central Ohio.”
"Today’s students need a more robust, equitable learning environment that empowers them to realize their full potential. Our new partnership with the PAST Foundation will help advance our mission to meet the needs of kids and families in Ohio and forge a new future where every child is cared for, included, educated, and inspired," stated Michele Ritchlin, Executive Director of OAN.
About OAN The Ohio Afterschool Network is a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization working to ensure that all children and youth have access to quality afterschool programs. More information is available HERE.
About MOTT Foundation
The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, established in 1926 in Flint, Michigan, by an automotive pioneer, is a private philanthropy committed to supporting projects that promote a just, equitable and sustainable society. It supports nonprofit programs throughout the United States and, on a limited basis, internationally. Grantmaking is focused in four programs: Civil Society, Education, Environment and Flint Area. In addition to Flint, offices are located in metropolitan Detroit, Johannesburg and London. In 2021, the Foundation made 382 grants totaling more than $171 million and had year-end assets of approximately $4.2 billion. For more information, visit www.mott.org.
About PAST Foundation
PAST, a non-profit organization, is a leader in designing innovative educational opportunities across the nation and around the world, bringing problem-based learning to educators and experiential programs to students. During PAST’s 22 years, we have impacted hundreds of thousands of students and educators while engaging hundreds of businesses and industry leaders. Building a community of learners that helps students prepare to solve the world’s problems is our core outcome.
PAST was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for its Excellence in Innovation in the STEM 2026 vision report, being the only Ohio educational entity included in this publication. In 2021, PAST’s Innovation Lab was featured in Forbes Magazine as a promising example to “Re-imagine High School” and also recognized by the White House Summit on High School Design in 2015. Connect with us at HERE and learn how to link learning to life.