Mayor Coleman quickly became aware of the fact that young people spend 80% of their time – including after school, summer, and weekends — outside of school. He realized that focusing on the opportunities available to youth during this “Second Shift” is critical to closing opportunity gaps and ensuring all young people have opportunities to excel.
Tackling this important issue would take a collaborative effort. Mayor Coleman called the entire city – the school district, community organizations and activists, local non-profit, business and civic leaders, parents and youth, thought and opinion leaders, public servants like police and libraries – to action with the creation of the Second Shift Commission, an offshoot of the Parks & Rec Commission.
The Second Shift Commission was charged with providing feedback and recommendations regarding out-of-school time in Saint Paul. Saint Paul’s Second Shift Commission got a big boost in 2008 when a technical assistance grant from the National League of Cities Institute for Youth, Education & Families made it possible for the Second Shift Commission to observe and understand best practices taking place in other cities across America.