October 22, 2015 is the 16th annual Lights On Afterschool, a nationwide event organized by the Afterschool Alliance that celebrates afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families, and communities. The effort generates media coverage across the country each year, sending a powerful message that millions more kids need quality afterschool programs. Afterschool programs can register their Lights On Aftershool events to let the Afterschool Alliance know how they are celebrating the day. Registered programs will receive an event starter kit, which includes 10 free posters to help promote their event, and will be eligible for prizes each week. Also, for the ninth consecutive year, the iconic Empire State Building will be lit up in yellow on that day to celebrate Lights On Afterschool.

Youth Today is now offering monthly 30 minute lunchtime webinars. Practitioners can use these research based webinars to design and develop quality instructional activities for Out-of-School-Time programs and immediately implement downloadable lesson plans, hands-on activities and resources at programs. Participants are eligible for a certificate from Kennesaw State University which may be used to satisfy School-Age Child Care credits, depending on the state. Next webinar in the series is Libraries as Partners for Out-of-School Program Design on October 20, 2015 at 1:00 pm ET. To register and for more information on the series, visit the Youth Today website.

The 2015 Borough High School Fairs will take place on October 17 & 18, 2015 from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm in Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. Visit the High School section of the NYC Department of Education website for infomation on how to prepare for the fairs. For questions about High School Admissions, call (718) 935-2399 or email HS_Enrollment@schools.nyc.gov.

NYC Service has just initiated the fall launch of Youth Leadership Councils (YLCs). These councils were established as an effort to develop future leaders and create a culture of youth voice in New York City. YLCs are groups of trained young people who work with adult leaders on a defined area of policy, practices and/or service to impact individuals and communities with a focus on youth. The initiative's goal is to engage 30,000 youth in this effort across New York City by 2017. Twenty-four city agencies and community based organizations are involved in the initiative, with more expected to join. Youth leaders can apply to serve on a YLC through an online application. Application closes on October 23, 2015.

generationOn is offering NYC generationOn Clubs Grants of $500 each to support newly registered Kids Care Clubs or generationOn Service Clubs serving elementary, middle school or high-school age youth in New York City. Grantees will also receive a Club Starter Kit with support material and swag. generationOn is looking for clubs that demonstrate a commitment to engaging youth in service, an organized approach to planning and budgeting for service projects, and the foundations of Club longevity and impact. New Club advisors and youth leaders can apply (ages 13+). Applications are accepted through October 23, 2015.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards is a nationwide program that honors young people in grades 5-12 who are volunteering in their communities. Youth who have engaged in a volunteer activity that occurred during the 12 months prior to the date of application are eligible to apply. Local Honorees are selected in November and from those winners two State Honorees (one middle level school student and one high school student) are chosen. State Honorees receive an award of $1,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC, for national recognition events. Out of the State Honorees, ten National Honorees are selected to receive an additional award of $5,000 as well as a $5,000 grant for a nonprofit organization of their choice. The application deadline is November 3, 2015. Visit the Prudential website for online application information.

The NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) has released a NYCHA Cornerstone Programs Request for Proposals (RFP) through the HHS Accelerator system to those organizations prequalified in the relevant service areas. In this RFP, DYCD is seeking organizations to operate innovative Cornerstone Community Center programs for youth and adults located in NYCHA developments across New York City. A total of 94 programs will be funded, one for each of the existing Cornerstone sites. It is anticipated that the contract term will be from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2019 with options to renew for three additional years. Pre-proposal conferences will be held at 2 Lafayette Street, 14th Floor Auditorium, New York, NY 10007 on October 7 & 8, 2015 at 2:00 pm. Proposals are due November 5, 2015 at 2:00 pm. Questions should be emailed to rfpquestions@dycd.nyc.gov with a subject line of Cornerstone. Visit the HHS Accelerator system for more information and to apply.

XQ Institute has launched XQ: The Super School Project, a challenge to reimagine and design the next American high school. XQ Institute will provide a fund of $50 million to support at least five selected schools over the next five years. It will also partner with them to provide expert support and guidance to turn their ideas into real Super Schools that can inspire the country. Applicants are being challenged to self-assemble a team that will, using student voices and their experiences, research the landscape of education in the community they want to serve, design a Super School based on that discovery, and map out a plan to make the school a reality. Concept submissions are due November 15, 2015. Winners will be announced August 2016. Visit the XQ: Super School Project website, for a full timeline and more information on how to apply.