Lemhis After School Promise Inc

Lemhi’s After School Promise started out as an eight-week pilot program in April of 1999 and for the past 20+ years has grown to become a resource for Salmon area families.  With support from the Road to Recovery Substance Abuse Prevention Services grant, the initial pilot served 24 children in grades K-3 for an eight-week period. Individuals involved with the trial program quickly recognized the need for this type of resource in the community and became committed to establishing what is now known as Lemhi’s After School Promise, Inc.

Starting in October 1999, the after-school program opened its doors with grant support funding from the Road to Recovery and the Idaho Community Foundation.  The funds allowed the program to serve 24 children from October through April.

In 2001, the program received additional funding from the Road to Recovery and expanded to encompass 2 campuses

and reach between 24-30 children in grades 1-5.  This funding level continued through 2004, until federal cutbacks and changes to the Road to Recovery program resulted in reducing back to a single campus at the Presbyterian Center.

Benchmark Research and Safety took over as the federal prevention services provider and LASP has continued to receive reduced funding through this program since 2005.  During this time, the program has adapted to meet changing community needs at a time when demand for funding support has increased and many nonprofits have closed.     

With the Salmon School District’s change to a 4 day school week, LASP adapted to further meet the needs of area families and now offers an after school program Monday through Thursday, a Friday program in the Fall/Winter months and is a Idaho Dept. of Education  Summer Food program provider. 

For several years, LASP offered a limited Friday enrichment program for area children with partnerships with area organizations including Lemhi Co. 4H, The Mahoney Family Safety Center, Salmon Arts Council and others.   It was the goal of LASP to find a sustainable source for funding this continued type of enrichment opportunity for students in future years, which has become a reality with the new 21st CCLC funding!

For the past 13+ summers, LASP has provided free meals to area children throughout the summer months through the United States Dept. of Agriculture and Idaho Dept. of Education’s Summer Food Program.   This past year, LASP served over 3590 free meals to area children from June through August.

In April 2014, and again in 2020, Lemhi’s After School Promise and a partnership with Salmon School District 291, received a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant that will help partially fund before, after and out-of-school time activities in Salmon for 5 years.  With the  21st CCLC, we have expanded to include grades K-5 and now offer an After School and Fun’Tastic Fridays enrichment programs as well as a two-week summer program in June.  

From September through May,  LASP offers after school tutoring assistance and support for families of children in grades K-5.  Presently, up to 45 children are registered to participate in the Monday through Thursday before school and after school programs.  In addition to a complete meal after school, children can participate in the mentoring program where they receive one-on-one homework help and reading assistance.  A major component to LASP’s program is their prevention education curriculum that focuses on decision making skills development and self-esteem building. 

The services provided by LASP to Salmon area families are offered free of charge and the program relies on grant funding support, donations from both individuals and area businesses and fundraising activities.   Presently the program has 8 staff members, numerous volunteers and some great support from community organizations throughout Salmon.   Business and Individual donations have also made a significant impact on the program’s operations and success.   Local support and several fundraisers held by LASP each year help to ‘bridge the gap’ and has made the organization sustainable through the years!