A strong network of youth-serving organizations can make a lasting difference for young people and families. In Peoria, the collaborative Peoria Afterschool Networking Group is doing just that by bringing together out-of-school-time agencies to connect, share ideas, and strengthen programming opportunities for youth across the community.
Hosted by University of Illinois Extension, the network includes partners such as Proctor Center, Dream Center, Peoria Park District, South Side Mission, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Carver Center, Peoria Public Schools, and several others. Together, these organizations create opportunities for educators and youth professionals to learn from one another, share best practices, and collaborate on innovative ideas that inspire and support young people.
The Peoria Afterschool Networking Group recognizes that no single organization can meet every need of youth and families alone. By building relationships among agencies, participants can exchange successful program ideas, discuss challenges, and identify ways to serve the community better. These connections also help reduce duplication of efforts and encourage stronger partnerships that expand opportunities for youth involvement and engagement.
One example of this collaboration was the recent Family Resource Night hosted at South Side Mission. The event welcomed families from all participating agencies and provided access to valuable educational and community resources in one convenient location. Families learned about programs and services including Find Food IL, University of Illinois 4-H youth development opportunities, Health and Community Wellness programs through Extension, the Woodruff Career and Technical Center, and the Illinois Central College TRIO Program.
Other successes include the creation of a local teen night, which rotates among several agencies, where teens from multiple agencies can gather and have fun, while learning about a particular topic. Joint professional development opportunities on topics such as social emotional learning and developmental relationships have also been discussed and implemented due to this group.
Events like Family Resource Night and teen nights demonstrate the power of collaboration. By working together, organizations can reach more families, provide broader support, and connect youth with meaningful opportunities that encourage learning, leadership, and personal growth. The Peoria Afterschool Networking Group continues to strengthen the community by fostering partnerships that invest in the success and well-being of local youth and families.
Meet the Author
Judy Schmidt provides leadership to 4-H metro programming in Peoria County. Schmidt joined Extension in 2001, working as a Youth Development Educator at the East Peoria Center and joined the Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell unit in 2011. Her work focuses on 4-H youth development programming in the local metropolitan area, specifically leading positive youth development initiatives for after-school programs, community groups, 4-H clubs and other youth-serving organizations. Her areas of expertise include positive youth development principles, youth leadership, and work with teens as teachers.
Schmidt attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for her bachelor's degree in psychology and also for her master's degrees in Social Work and Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a certified facilitator of the Matrixx System/Real Colors program by the National Curriculum and Training Institute.
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