Launched in 1990, After-School All-Stars (ASAS) offers a proven after-school alternative for middle school children. ASAS programs engage kids in activities and ongoing relationships that increase confidence and encourage success in all areas of their lives – at home, in school and in the community. ASAS provides comprehensive, out-of-school programs that are fun for kids and, more importantly, keep them safe and help them achieve success in school and life. ASAS improves kids’ lives by nurturing their minds, bodies and spirits through programs that incorporate independent learning, academics and enrichment activities. Serving 81,000 youth at 450 campuses in 13 cities across the country, ASAS has created a model that can be replicated anywhere.

In 2001, Todd Wagner brought the After-School All-Stars (ASAS) organization to Dallas and built it into a widely respected program that has reached approximately 8,600 children through partnerships with 50 Dallas ISD schools and a dozen community- and faith-based organizations in the southern sector and West Dallas. ASAS has developed and delivered inventive year-round technology, academic, sports and cultural programs that range from girls’ volleyball, golf and outdoor survival skills, to math games and computer skills, to chess and book clubs.

In August 2006, Dallas After-School All-Stars announced that it had united its innovative programs with the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas so that more youth can benefit from diverse academic and recreational opportunities that will help them achieve success in school and life. With this combination of programs, staffing, experience and support, Dallas ASAS programs were integrated into the YMCA’s after-school curriculum through a transition that was seamless to the participating children and their parents. This unique collaboration combines the strength of the two powerful organizations, and fosters program expansion to involve and positively influence more than 5,000 kids to date. The Foundation is committed to funding specific ASAS programs in partnership with the Dallas YMCA through 2012.