Photo courtesy of Good Shepherd Services
Over 100 elementary and middle school students participating in the afterschool program run by the nonprofit Good Shepherd Services’ brought joy and energy to Fordham Plaza, with a surprise flash mob dance on Thursday, Oct. 23.
Celebrating the “Lights On Afterschool” program, the event drew attention to the importance of afterschool programs for children, families, and communities.
Photo courtesy of Good Shepherd Services
Organizers said the the Bronx celebration was one of more than 8,000 Lights On Afterschool events held nationwide as part of a movement organized by the Afterschool Alliance to showcase how afterschool programs foster learning, creativity, and connection beyond the classroom.
Dozens of students and families gathered as the plaza came alive with music and dance, symbolizing how afterschool programs serve as safe, engaging spaces that help young people build confidence and community.
Photo courtesy of Good Shepherd Services
Good Shepherd Services, which runs the Lights on Afterschool program, is a multi-service organization working to expand opportunities for children, youth, and families in underinvested NYC communities.
Photo courtesy of Good Shepherd Services
It operates over 90 programs in The Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, creating opportunities to help participants thrive at school, at home, and in their communities.
OVER 100 ELEMENTARY and middle school students participating in the afterschool program run by the nonprofit Good Shepherd Services brought joy and energy to Fordham Plaza, located at East Fordham Road and Third Avenue in Belmont, on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, with a surprise flash mob dance.
Video courtesy of Good Shepherd Services
One of its Bronx programs is the cure violence initiative, Bronx Rises Against Gun Violence (B.R.A.G.)
OVER 100 ELEMENTARY and middle school students participating in the afterschool program run by the nonprofit Good Shepherd Services brought joy and energy to Fordham Plaza, located at East Fordham Road and Third Avenue in Belmont, on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, with a surprise flash mob dance.
Video courtesy of Good Shepherd Services
Serving over 30,000 individuals annually, it provides academic enrichment, housing, career development, community services, and family well-being support.
Photo courtesy of Good Shepherd Services
Since its launch in 2000, Lights On Afterschool has become a hallmark of the afterschool movement, drawing millions of participants each year and underscoring the urgent need to expand access to affordable, high-quality programs across the country.
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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.