New name reflection of group’s expanded mission

Heather Rawlyk

Friday, Jan. 9, 2004 | 5:04 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION January 10 - 11, 2004

How many people does it take to package 150,000 After-School All-Star Registration books?

"About 40," spokeswoman Justine Mroziak says.

The Greater Las Vegas After-School All-Stars and Inner-City Games staff joined volunteers and supporters Jan. 3 to package the registration books to be delivered to thousands of Las Vegas youth citywide for the 2004 season.

The books represented not only the beginning of a new season for the youth activities program that runs between March and June. It also launched a new approach with the addition of the After-School All-Stars.

The National Inner-City Games Foundation recognized the growing concern that "the majority of youth violence, drug use, gang activity and teen pregnancy occurs during the after-school hours between 3 and 6 p.m.," Mroziak said.

In response, the Inner-City Games expanded with year-round comprehensive programs that include homework help, tutoring, life skills, cultural arts, computers and sports, according to Inner-City Games.

A national contest was held to find a new name that "embodied the spirit of the new direction," Mroziak said.

Two youth participants came up with the winning name, After-School All-Stars.

"The name is different, and the book looks different," Mroziak said. "We're trying to get people aware of the slight changes and the fact that we added some after-school programs."

The Registration Book provides schedules and registration forms for the After-School All-Star citywide programs that will be launched on March 6 and the ongoing after-school programs, Mroziak said.

As they prepared the registration books, busy staffers and volunteers worked from 7:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. last week bundling books for various schools in the Clark County School District.

Office Depot let the crew use its warehouse, at 4610 Donavan Way, for the second year in a row, Mroziak said. Several Office Depot staff members joined in to volunteer for the book bundling, she said.

Executive Director Jackie Locks included an introduction to the changes in the 2004 After-School All-Stars Registration Guide, to explain the changes to students and parents.

"We're not just 'Games' anymore," she said. "The After-School All-Stars are programs designed for (students) to participate in activities like dance, chess, sports, cultural arts and much more."

Locks explained that the traditional Inner-City Games weekend programs, which take place from March until June, have been combined with the new After-School All-Stare weekday programs.

Inner City Games has provided the community with children's programs for 10 years, Mroziak said.

"It's the same thing, just a different name and extra activities for the children to get involved in," she said.

All the activities are free and open to children ages 7-17, she added.

Transportation is also free for Saturday events, she said. The After-School All-Stars provide free bus rides for those who cannot get a ride from parents, relatives or friends.

More information is available on the website, lvafterschoolallstars.org. Registration deadline is Feb. 6. Sign up forms can be turned into the students' school "Contact Person", or mailed to the After-School Office at 233 S. 4th St., Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89101.

Forms can also be faxed to 382-5801.

To find out the contact person in your area, contact the All-Star office at 382-5447.

"Volunteers are also always welcome," Mroziak said.

Those interested in volunteering can contact the All-Stars Volunteer Coordinator by phone at 382-5447 or by e-mail at volunteer@lvafterschoolallstars.org. Applications are also available on the website.