Support After Hours
Support After Hours [AH] by leading programming, lending a hand or expertise, or making a donation.
We are looking to expand programming and offerings this upcoming Fall/Winter and to invest in improving our space and website.
What
After Hours is a nonprofit dedicated to creating enriching community spaces for young adults (18-30ish) that support exploration and agency.
We coordinate with local networks to activate physical space where young individuals can discover resources, build impactful relationships, and access the abundance of their communities.
We believe that everyone benefits when we all have an equal opportunity to imagine more; for ourselves, our communities, and our collective future.
Who
After Hours is run by young people for young people. Conceived by founder Emma Fillion, the idea has taken physical form, meeting most Wednesday nights at Lower Cape TV and offering low-cost and free programming in collaboration with local community partners.
Planning and decisions are lead by a group of young adult volunteers dubbed “Breakfast Club” (when meetings were held in the mornings… that didn’t last long).
Where
We’ve partnered with Lower Cape TV (LCTV) in Orleans to host After Hours Wednesday nights. LCTV is located in a 1,700 sq ft facility within walking distance of downtown Orleans. Their impressive space inspires a sense of awe, boasting a massive central room, smaller side rooms for privacy and quiet, as well as a state-of-the-art broadcast studio.
Why
From founder Emma Fillion
Provincetown Local
26
The idea for After Hours came from a personal desire to connect with people my age in a space that was more flexible, affordable, and intentional than the convenient spaces available on Cape Cod (namely bars, beaches and coffee shops). I was tired of the stark divides between places where I could meet my social needs, engage in learning, and develop professionally. It felt to me that there was an unnatural separation between work and leisure, which implied that we were supposed to meet with others to play but were meant to grow alone.
After Hours is my response. A vision for a high-quality gathering space where connection happens through engagement in shared interests, collaboration on projects, and community-lead programming – designed for people to grow together (while having fun too).
I returned to Cape Cod to be a caregiver, a path I would not have chosen for myself. While I couldn’t change the circumstances that brought me home, I decided I did have a choice about how I would spend my time here.
I decided that I wanted more. More chances to explore, to challenge, to grow, to fail, to win, to question, to connect, and ultimately, to enjoy. I want it for me and I want it for anyone else who’s decided they want more too.
So,
After Hours. It’s easy, it’s fun, it’s more.
xx Emma
How
We have been able to experiment and grow this project because of the generosity and faith of our community. We have applied for and received over $15,000 in grant funding, in addition to a number of individual donations and a $1,260 award through the EforAll program, that has allowed us to seed our operations.
We consider ourselves incredibly lucky to have worked with wonderful community partners, who have gifted us so much of their time, consideration, and skills to arrange low-cost and free programming.
- Lower Cape TV – provides us our space for free
- Sk8 Cape Cod – 4 part roller dance series hosted at Lower Cape TV
- Mermaid Menu – 2 part series on shell fishing, how to prepare it, cook it, eat it and farm it, along with a tour of their sea farm.
- Murray’s Fabric – Lending of sewing machines for a 3 part sewing series and training by owner Bill Wordell
- Cape and Island Cafe – Food and catering for our Open House Event
- Joey Mars – Cartooning class
- Waters Edge Cinema – Movie Night at the cinema
- Jarrod Billie Olson – Class instructor for the 3 part sewing class, tote bags
- Abby Depin – Perfuming classes on the fundamentals and the unwearables
- Kennard Smith Jr. – Class instructor for the 3 part sewing class, pillows
- Patrick Bivona – Class on how to perfect your personal pitch
- Farm Project Gallery – Use of their beautiful outdoor area for our mid summer Midsommar movie night