The 41 different local agencies that provide activities and sports opportunities for children after school, from San Antonio Sports to Big Brothers Big Sisters, have a $220 million impact on the local economy, according to figures released by Excel Beyond the Bell SA, a local agency that coordinates the groups, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Ryan Lugalia-Hollon, who heads the group, says that economic boost comes from a number of areas.
"They are preparing the future work force, they are preparing future leaders, they are helping students have greater incomes in the future," he said.
Not to mention keeping kids out of the sorts of trouble they get into when they are out of school and their parents are still at work
."For every dollar invested in EBBSA's member agencies, at least $3.6 in additional public value is created," said economist Dr. Steve Nivin.
Lugalia-Hollon says in-school education is critical and Excel Beyond the Bell works tirelessly to make sure all students have access to a rigorous in-school program. But he stresses that what happens after school is important, too.
"This is where they can be pround of themselves, they can take pride in the work they do, they can take pride in who they are, they can take pride in where they come from."
He says everything from negotiation to problem solving to conflict resolution, critical skills which will take a person far in life, can be learned in after school sports and activities.
"Whether our goal today is teaching kids how to code, or just having an awesome sports league, we're going to do it through relationships," he said.
Lugalia-Hollon says after school activities are also vital for lower income kids.
"There is a saying that the first victim of poverty is the horizon, and our programs help them to reclaim that horizon."
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