Our Work
The Wyoming Afterschool Alliance (WYAA) was created in 2007 to support and promote quality, education-based out of school time (OST) programs that positively impact Wyoming’s youth and families. WYAA is a linchpin, connecting afterschool providers to the necessary resources, technical assistance and training opportunities.
WYAA is part of the National Network of Statewide Afterschool networks funded through the C.S. Mott Foundation.
High-Quality Afterschool/Out-of-School Time (OST) Programs support successful outcomes for youth by providing:
- Physical and psychological safety and security
- Structure that is developmentally appropriate, with clear expectations for behavior
- Opportunities to make decisions, participate in rule-making and take on leadership roles
- Emotional and moral support
- Opportunities to learn how to form close, durable human relationships
A sense of belonging and value - Opportunities to build and master skills
- Strong links between families, schools and broader community resources
Mission:
- We support and promote high-quality afterschool programs to improve positive outcomes for youth and their families.
Vision:
- All Wyoming youth have equal access to high-quality afterschool programs.
Goals:
- Create a sustainable structure of statewide, regional and local partnerships, particularly between schools and communities, focused on supporting policy development at all levels.
- Support the development and growth of statewide policies that will secure the resources needed to sustain new and existing out-of-school time (OST) programs.
- Support statewide systems to ensure that OST programs are of high quality.
Staff
Michelle Sullivan
Director
Wyoming Afterschool Alliance
michelle@wycf.org
o: 307-335-9922
c: 307-752-1637
Kate Foster
Program Coordinator
Wyoming Afterschool Alliance
katefoster@wycf.org
o: 307-335-9922
Our Partners
WYAA’s partners help create a sustainable structure of statewide school-community partnerships. Our partners assist in securing the resources needed to sustain new and existing afterschool programs and ensure high-quality afterschool programs.
- Mott Foundation
- John P. Ellbogen Foundation
- Noyce Foundation
- Craig & Linda Jennings
- Sargent Foundation
- Wyoming Department of Education
- 21st CCLC programs across the state
- Office of the Governor
- Afterschool Alliance
- National AfterSchool Association
Expert Advisory Board
Craig Williams
Chair
2007 – Present
Laramie County School District #1
4th Grade Teacher
White-Riley Peterson Fellow
kcmwill@aol.com
Shawna McBride
Past Chair
2010 – Present
WY NASA Space Grant Consortium
smcbride@uwyo.edu
Liz Mikesell
Vice Chair
2016 – Present
lizmikesell94@gmail.com
Karen Bierhaus
Secretary
2012 – Present
WDE – 21st CCLC Coordinator
karen.bierhaus@wyo.gov
Steve Hamaker
2010 – Present
Greater WY Big Brothers Big Sisters
steve@wyobbbs.org
Holley Nicholson
2018 – 2020
Wal-Mart Personnel Manager – HR
holleyberry_69@yahoo.com
