The Zone Afterschool Program
About The Zone Afterschool Program
At The Zone Afterschool Program, teens in grades 7-12 can walk into a safe, free place after school and find something useful waiting for them, from meals and homework help to mentoring, recreation, and leadership opportunities. It is built for young people in Norfolk and the surrounding area who need a steady spot to learn, eat, and keep moving forward. For families, the fact that it costs nothing matters. For donors, that means support goes directly toward a program that is already serving meals, building skills, and showing up for local students.
What sets The Zone apart is how much it offers without charging families a fee. Students have access to mentoring, meals, academic support, vocational exploration, community service, and regular activities that get them out into the community, plus specialized boys' and girls' groups and Zone-Mart budgeting practice. It is a program with a lot of moving parts, but the goal stays clear: help teens grow into healthy, productive adults.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Mentoring
Students select a trained Zone mentor who meets with them several times each month for goal setting, grade checks, character development, and support navigating school and life challenges.
Education & Homework Support
Homework help, tutoring, a dedicated homework room, a 30-minute extended learning period, academic support, goal-setting, and encouragement.
Enrichment Activities
Hands-on activities such as STEM, arts, cooking, games, and group activities that spark creativity, curiosity, and teamwork.
Health & Wellness
Gym time, Fit4Life, yoga, nutrition lessons, creative projects, and conversations about healthy relationships, bullying, substance abuse prevention, and emotional well-being.
Evening Programs
Evening classes and gatherings focused on leadership, money management, restorative practices, self-care, homecare, and vocational preparation, often paired with family-style meals.
Food Program
Snacks on arrival, hot meals after programming, take-home snacks, and family-style Friday meals for students who attend.
Community Service Program
Regular service projects with local partners, including work with Orphan Grain Train, Mercy Meals, Norfolk Rescue Mission, and an adopted highway clean-up effort.
Character & Leadership Paths
A selective leadership program for youth who demonstrate respect, responsibility, kindness, initiative, integrity, and service to others.
MAN-UP Boys Group
A weekly group for boys that focuses on teamwork, respect, responsibility, integrity, resilience, and peer support.
Rooted & Rising Girls Program
A weekly group for girls centered on confidence, healthy friendships, boundaries, emotions, communication, and self-respect.
Vocational & ZoneMart
Career exploration, guest speakers, business tours, job-readiness skills, and a weekly store that teaches saving, budgeting, and decision-making through earned tickets.
Recreation at The Zone
Group sports, games, and community-based activities that help students stay active, build teamwork, and strengthen social skills.
Zone Adventures
Friday Night Fun and off-site outings such as movies, bowling, mini-golf, ice skating, the Rage Room, and other shared community experiences.
Summer Program
A seven-week summer program with outdoor adventures, mentoring, team-building, gardening, and vocational preparation.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
The Zone Afterschool Program is a proactive, community-based after-school program for students in grades 7-12 in Norfolk, Nebraska. It promotes the physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being of adolescents through education, enrichment, health and wellness, community service, leadership, and special activities, with the goal of helping youth graduate from high school and develop into healthy and productive adults.
Who they serve
Students in grades 7-12 in Norfolk, Nebraska and the surrounding area.
Their impact
- 1008+ service hours
- 3043+ meals served
- 100% free for all families
- Attendance has more than doubled
How your donation helps
- free daily programming
- meals and snacks
- mentoring
- tutoring and academic support
- supplies
- summer activities
- leadership training
- emotional support services
Need help?
How someone in need can access The Zone Afterschool Program’s services.
Students in grades 7-12 from Norfolk and the surrounding area can register with a parent or guardian using a simple form before their first visit or at the start of the school year. The program is free and operates after school Monday through Friday, with additional evening programs and a separate summer schedule.
In their words
Every student deserves a safe place to learn, grow, and feel supported!
I believe strong communities are built through compassion, teamwork, and consistency.
Working with young people reminds me daily of the potential and hope in our community.
I’m passionate about bringing people together around a shared mission.
I believe learning happens everywhere — not just in classrooms.
Events
Friday Night Fun
weeklyA weekly time for students to relax, enjoy themed activities, games, music, creative workshops, and friendly competitions.
Clunker Clobberfest
annualA charity smash event that supports The Zone through sponsorships, donations, and event participation.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles The Zone Afterschool Program has shared.
Current needs
- school supplies
- hygiene items
- snacks
- activity materials
- gift cards
- equipment for programs
Volunteer opportunities
- help with homework
- serve meals
- lead activities
- lead workshops
- support skill-building sessions
- provide food, beverages, or supplies
- share expertise through special classes or presentations
- partner on service days or internship-style learning opportunities
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
How does the mentoring program work?
Students choose a trained Zone mentor who meets with them several times each month. Those meetings focus on goal setting, grade checks, character development, and support with school and life challenges.
What is Zone-Mart?
Zone-Mart is a weekly store where students use tickets they earn through attendance, participation, and extra effort. It gives them a chance to practice saving, budgeting, and decision-making in a simple, practical way.
What happens in the summer program?
The seven-week summer program includes outdoor adventures, small-group mentoring, team-building, gardening, vocational preparation, and other structured activities for teens.
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