After school programs are a valuable resource for children and parents. Many children come home every day to an empty house after school gets out, usually because their parent or parents are working. This means that not only are children left alone for long stretches of time, but parents are left to worry if their kids are safe.
According to the National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center, the peak time for juvenile crimes and risky behaviors falls during the hours following school, or from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Even at a young age, children get involved in alcohol and drug use. They are also more likely to become a victim of violence during these hours.
