The Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/ Youth Development Network honored state Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne/Carbon) with the Afterschool Champion award at a Harrisburg reception on Wednesday.

Yudichak was one of a small group of individuals from across the commonwealth that was honored with the 2014 Afterschool Champion award for innovation and excellence in afterschool programs."I am incredibly humbled and honored to receive this award, but I can assure you that I share this honor with many, many great educators and champions of afterschool programs from across Northeastern Pennsylvania," Yudichak said."Afterschool programs give our children outlets to learn and grow socially and academically and we need to continue to find ways to increase both funding and access to these important programs."Yudichak was nominated for the award by Jeanne Miller, director of Carbon and Schuylkill County Educational Services at Lehigh Carbon Community College and the LCCC Carbon and Schuylkill SHINE Afterschool program, for his commitment, dedication and work in supporting meaningful high quality afterschool/out-of-school time for children and youth in the community."Sen. Yudichak is making a difference in the lives of hundreds of children and families in the commonwealth," Miller said. "His dedication to quality afterschool programs that inspire learning, keep kids safe and help working parents is critical to the strengthening of our community."The annual reception and meeting of the network was held at the Hilton hotel in downtown Harrisburg.