Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) joins the nation in proudly celebrating Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week (April 21-25), a time to recognize those who work with young learners during out-of-school hours. According to the National Afterschool Association, an estimated 7.8 million children participate in afterschool programs annually in the United States and the afterschool programming employs more than more than 850,000 professionals.

HCDE’s Center for Afterschool, Summer and Enrichment (CASE) for Kids division provides year-round resources and programming to Harris County learners. Among the initiatives are the All-Earth Ecobot Challenge, CASE Debates and LevelUp Afterschool is Cool Youth Expo.

In addition to celebrating our CASE for Kids staff here locally, two #TeamHCDE members were recently highlighted nationally by the National AfterSchool Association (NAA). Division regional program coordinators Keanda Fuller and Melvin Meade participated in two sessions at the NAA 2025 Conference, held March 9-12 in Nashville. They joined other afterschool leaders for a panel that discussed building a thriving workplace and better youth opportunities.

Fuller and Meade also led a session titled, “Our Journey to Oz: Navigating Mentorship for Success,” which highlighted the impact of mentoring in shaping youth. Playing off the famous film, The Wizard of Oz, Fuller and Meade spotlighted fostering relationships, involving stakeholders and emphasizing long-term engagement to expand pathways for brighter futures.

“Those people who appeared just when I needed them the most were people like you – site coordinators, afterschool specialists, teachers, counselors and my close family,” Fuller said of those who came to her aid following a near-fatal auto accident right before she graduated from high school. “Better yet, they all were my mentors who worked steadfast to make sure that I had a chance to rebuild my life, regain my confidence and step inside of a future I once thought I lost. That experience awakened something inside of me.”

Just as Dorthy leaned on the wisdom of her companions, Fuller continued and said she realized the power of walking alongside others and celebrating their growth.

Meade credited his first mentors – family members who helped shape him as a child – but also acknowledged teammates and even strangers who made a simple impression in a brief moment.

In describing one’s journey to the story’s yellow-brick road, Meade said: “If we move with intention and faith, it will begin to reveal itself brick by brick. That journey led me to CASE for Kids, where I was able to reignite my purpose but also that profound joy of helping others discover theirs.

“Mentorship isn’t always formal,” Meade continued. “It’s in the simple moments and in the shared wisdoms.”

HCDE congratulates Fuller and Meade for their dedication to others and appreciates NAA for spotlighting these two servant leaders within CASE for Kids. The session was featured as a video showcase story on the association’s YouTube channel.