The Need in North Carolina
Meeting the Demand for Afterschool Equity
Across North Carolina, the demand for high-quality afterschool programs continues to far exceed available access. Families across the state recognize the life-changing impact of these spaces—safe environments where young people are supported, engaged, and able to build essential academic, social, and life skills while developing a lifelong love of learning.
For many working parents and caregivers, afterschool programs are not optional—they are essential. These programs provide stability, peace of mind, and the ability to remain employed, knowing their children are in enriching, structured, and supportive environments.
Yet despite this clear and growing need, only a fraction of North Carolina families who want afterschool support are able to access it.
This gap is more than a logistical challenge—it is an equity issue that impacts working families, educational outcomes, and the overall stability and wellbeing of our communities.
Roots of Wisdom Scholars Collective is committed to helping bridge this gap by expanding access to inclusive, culturally grounded, and community-centered programs that uplift, educate, and empower young people and their families across Wake Forest and beyond.
(Source: Afterschool Alliance, North Carolina Report, Fifth Edition)
Demand
North Carolina After 3PM
Programs in Demand, But Out of Reach for Many!
America After 3PM
Unmet Demand for Afterschool Programs Remains Painfully High, With Large Majorities of Middle- and Low-Income Families Shut Out
America After 3PM
Support for afterschool programs has grown over the past two decades. .
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America After 3PM is a national online survey of parents or guardians of school-aged children, with supplemental interviews conducted by telephone. Data were collected by Edge Research on behalf of the Afterschool Alliance. In North Carolina, 802 households and 1,304 children were screened for this study. Child-level statewide projections are based on total school enrollment numbers for the 2021-2022 school year from the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.