A new school year means a fresh start for kids – a chance to start new routines and habits, build new friendships and discover new possibilities and interests. Back-to-school is a fresh start for youth and the people who care for them. As children transition from summer to fall, YMCA Southcoast is offering programs to school-aged children throughout the Southcoast community to keep youth active, busy and engaged during out-of-school time. Through a holistic approach to youth development, the Y’s program[s] offer[s] activities in a caring and safe environment during the critical hours after school. Whether through sports, mentorship, or academic support, the Y’s afterschool program’s staff nurtures the potential of youth throughout the school year.
At the end of the day when the school bell rings, 11.3 million kids are headed home to be unsupervised from 3:00 to 6:00 pm, according to the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit public awareness advocacy organization. With a new school year about to begin, YMCA Southcoast encourages parents/caregivers to make sure that children are involved in safe, educational experiences after school hours.
“Learning enrichment after school is essential to increasing children’s success in school,” said Kathleen Treglia, Executive Director of Education for YMCA Southcoast. “The opportunity to get additional learning and support, as well as participate in meaningful activities can inspire children’s motivations and abilities to succeed.”
The Y is a leading nonprofit committed to nurturing the potential of every child and teen, supporting their social-emotional, cognitive and physical development from birth to career. In the YMCA’s afterschool programs, youth receive homework assistance and can also explore art, music, and have fun in the Y pool, playing organized sports and games in the gym, or on the climbing wall and hiking in our outdoor centers. Financial assistance is available to those in need, to ensure every child and teen has the opportunity to learn and grow at the Y and the Y accepts PACE Vouchers.
The YMCA Southcoast has adopted a set of Healthy Eating and Physical Activity standards in our afterschool programs that build a healthier future for our nation’s children by providing healthy environments rich in opportunities for healthy eating and physical activity.
The Y will open 13 state licensed after school programs in Swansea, Fall River, Dartmouth, New Bedford, Acushnet, Mattapoisett, Rochester, Marion, Wareham and Bourne. For more information about the afterschool program, please contact Kathy Treglia, Executive Director of Education at 508-996-9622 ext. 118 or via email at Ktreglia@ymcasouthcoast.org.