Since 2011, Sprockets, Saint Paul’s afterschool network, has partnered with organizations across the city to expand access to high-quality afterschool programs, elevate youth voice, and strengthen the impact of youth development efforts.
Launched as a network shaped by community input, Sprockets has grown and adapted over the years to meet the evolving needs of youth-serving organizations. While the work has shifted in response to new challenges and opportunities, several core threads have remained consistent:
Access – Who has (and doesn’t have) access to high-quality youth programs?
From the beginning, Sprockets has worked to understand and address disparities in access—geographic, cultural, economic, and systemic. By supporting community-based organizations and sharing data across the network, we help ensure that young people in every neighborhood, especially those historically underrepresented, have opportunities to engage, learn, and thrive beyond the school day.Participation – We know that frequent, consistent participation makes a difference.
Research shows that youth who participate regularly in afterschool programs build stronger relationships, gain critical skills, and experience greater academic and personal success. Sprockets helps programs think about participation trends in their programs and across the city to help partners identify where supports are needed to encourage ongoing engagement.Quality – Programs grow stronger through continuous improvement.
Through the Activator Cycle, a framework for reflection, observation, and action planning, along with professional development opportunities tailored to the needs of local youth workers, Sprockets supports programs in delivering enriching, inclusive, and high-impact experiences for young people.Benefits to Youth – How are programs supporting and benefiting young people in meaningful ways?
Beyond just attendance, Sprockets helps programs think about how they’re impacting youth—socially, emotionally, and academically. Whether building confidence, fostering belonging, or providing leadership opportunities, we’re focused on how afterschool experiences truly serve the whole young person.Youth Voice in Decision Making – When young voices are at the table, the conversation gets real. better.
Young people are invested and want to be heard. Sprockets supports the Saint Paul Youth Commission and Saint Paul Youth on Boards to ensure youth perspectives help shape citywide decisions.Youth Workers Matter Too – Supporting the people who support youth is essential.
Youth workers are at the heart of afterschool programs, and their wellbeing and growth matter. Sprockets invests in this critical workforce through networks, trainings, reflection spaces, and leadership opportunities that center identity, equity, and healing—because when youth workers thrive, so do young people.
Curious about what the network is up to now?
Check out Sprockets' most recent Annual Report to see how we’re continuing to build on this foundation.
Download Sprockets 2023-24 Annual Report
Past Reports
Feeling nostalgic?
Take a look back at how Sprockets’ work has evolved over the years to support youth-serving organizations across Saint Paul.