Celebrating Ty Woods: Our After School Community Champion

It brings us great joy to share that our very own VP of Programs and Development, Ty Woods, has been selected as an After School Community Champion by the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network (GSAN) for the 2023-2024 term. This prestigious recognition is a testament to Ty's dedication and commitment to youth development and community advocacy.

The Afterschool Community Champions program is a vital part of GSAN's mission to advance, connect, and support quality out-of-school time programs that foster the success of youth across Georgia. Champions, like Ty, are exceptional leaders who commit to a year of civic engagement to strengthen community awareness, support effective programs, and bring diverse perspectives and partners to the table regarding out-of-school time programming.

One of the many benefits of the program is its regular offerings for professional development, leadership, and networking. Ty will have the opportunity to connect with leaders and stakeholders who deeply care about the lives of children in our state. Throughout the program, Champions develop an advocacy action plan, followed by the implementation of advocacy events with the support of a stipend. 

This recognition not only benefits Ty personally, but it also greatly benefits our organization, Artportunity Knocks. As Ty serves as our VP of Programs, she will bring back valuable insights, knowledge, and connections gained through her participation as an After School Community Champion. This will enable us to further strengthen our programs and initiatives, while advocating for sound public policy around after school and summer programming.

Ty's journey in youth development spans over 20 years, starting as an Afterschool Program instructor and theater performer. She then expanded her scope to include child abuse advocacy with the VI Domestic Violence Council before moving to Georgia. She quickly made an impact as the Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club in Conyers. Fueled by her unwavering passion for the Arts and developing the "whole child," Ty co-founded Artportunity Knocks with her husband, Chris Woods, and a childhood friend. Her dedication and balance between advocacy work and family life are truly inspiring.

As Ty embarks on this remarkable journey as an After School Community Champion, we are confident that she will continue to make a significant difference in the lives of youth in our community. We wholeheartedly congratulate Ty Woods on this well-deserved recognition and applaud her commitment to promoting quality out-of-school time programs for the benefit of our youth. Together, let's continue to empower and support the next generation.