History of A.S.A.P.
In 2007, St. Louis For Kids (SL4K) and ARCHS (Area Resources for Community and Human Services) entered into a community partnership to lead the After School for All Partnership (ASAP).
ASAP is a community effort that will initially ensure that by Fall 2007, more than 1,000 St. Louis city grade school students, who currently are not enrolled in an after school program, will be able to spend their after school hours in safe, learning-focused environments.
St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay asked ARCHS and SL4K to spearhead ASAP to address St. Louis’ lack of after school programs. ASAP reports that on a regional basis, there is currently a need for 5,600 more children to be served to meet the national average of 22% access to five day-a-week after school programs.
“Parents want quality after school programs where they know that their children are safe, enriched and active. Unfortunately, only 1 out of 5 children have access to such programs. ARCHS and St. Louis For Kids are uniquely positioned, through ASAP, to increase the supply, access and quality of after school programs in St. Louis,” said Mayor Slay.
The partnership is not a merger, with both organizations retaining their own staff and boards. Each organization will have specific ASAP duties and provide board members and designated staff support.