OFFICIAL RELEASE · ORIGINAL ISSUER HEADLINE

October 22, 2026: Lights on Afterschool Day

Michigan Governor’s Office

The issuing organization did not supply a publication date.

Added to The State & Nation: October 3, 2026

What this means

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed October 22, 2026, as Lights on Afterschool Day. The proclamation recognizes afterschool programs for supporting young people’s learning, attendance and development, describes the October 22 national observance as promoting the importance of such programs, and cites continued demand and operating challenges. It is a ceremonial proclamation and does not announce a new program, appropriation or eligibility requirement.

Official release

Source material from Michigan Governor’s Office. The wording below is the issuer’s statement.

Unsupported Browser Detected

The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.

Supported Browsers

Google Chrome

Safari

Microsoft Edge

Firefox

October 22, 2026: Lights on Afterschool Day

October 22, 2026

WHEREAS, afterschool programs provide critical support for youth, offering them new experiences and opportunities, along with hands-on learning, that help them learn and grow. Youth who attend afterschool programs attend school more often, do better in school, and gain important work and life skills. This support is especially important today; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan is committed to the education and well-being of our youth and recognizes that quality afterschool programs prepare our young people to become successful adults and help our communities thrive; and,

WHEREAS, Lights On Afterschool, the national celebration of afterschool programs held this year on October 22nd, promotes the importance of quality afterschool programs for our children, families, and communities; and,

WHEREAS, the demand for afterschool programs continues to grow; for every young person in a program, four are waiting to get in; and,

WHEREAS, many afterschool programs face operating challenges so severe that they are forced to consider closing their doors and turning off their lights; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan is committed to providing expanded learning opportunities that help our children learn, grow, and develop the skills essential for success in life and work; and,

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Governor Whitmer, do hereby proclaim October 22, 2026 as "Lights on Afterschool Day.”

Governor

Read the original release

This announcement was published by Michigan Governor’s Office. The direct link below opens the official publication.

Read the full official publication

https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/proclamations/2026/10/22/october-22-2026-lights-on-afterschool-day

Official statements reflect their issuer’s perspective. The State & Nation is an independent aggregator and is not affiliated with the issuing organization.

Browse the release archive

More coverage from Michigan Governor’s Office · Report an error · Editorial standards