In selecting NAA's Next Generation of Afterschool 2017, proudly sponsored by S&S Worldwide, NAA sought to highlight emerging professionals who are active in the afterschool community—young leaders who possess passion, creativity and a commitment to youth; who embrace professional development; who embody the NAA core competencies. From a field of 125, a committee appointed by NAA selected those being honored.

Honorees were profiled in the Winter 2017 issue of NAA's AfterSchool Today magazine. To view the digital version of the article, click here.

"The National AfterSchool Association believes that quality afterschool programs provide positive child and youth development and meet a critical need for keeping kids safe and families productively employed," said Gina Warner, President and CEO of NAA. "At the heart of successful afterschool programs are the contributions these leaders make in shaping the next generation of the afterschool field."

An estimated 10.2 million children participate in afterschool programs each year and the industry employs an estimated 850,000. NAA is the membership association for professionals who work with children and youth in diverse school and community-based settings to provide a wide variety of extended learning opportunities and care during out-of-school hours.