YMCA After School Programs Set For New Year

Providing youth with opportunities to continue to learn and engage in meaningful activities at the end of the school day can boost their academic success. To help motivate and inspire kids to learn, the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut is offering an afterschool program to school-aged children throughout local school districts in the greater Danbury area. The Y's afterschool program combines academics with play and offers a caring and safe environment for youth who would otherwise be left unsupervised.

During the school year, 15.1 million U.S. children are left unsupervised after 3 p.m., according to the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit public awareness advocacy organization. In Connecticut, 28% of children are left alone and responsible for taking care of themselves. With enrollment high as the new year comes upon us, the Regional YMCA encourages parents/caregivers to make sure that children are involved in safe, educational experiences after school now as spaces are limited.

"The combination of enrichment and extended learning opportunities is essential to increasing children's success in school," said a YMCA Spokesperson. "YMCA afterschool programs promote a love for learning, social and emotional development, healthy choices, character and creativity, and provide children with an extra support system through positive role models to help them achieve and reach their full potential."

Studies show participation in afterschool programs helps boost school attendance and academic performance and reduces gaps in academic achievement among children from disadvantaged households.

In the Regional Y's afterschool program youth receive homework assistance, after school enrichment activities, physical activity, nutrition education and art and humanities programs and much more. Financial assistance is available to those in need, to ensure every child and teen has the opportunity to learn and grow at the Y.

For more information about the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut's afterschool program, please contact http://www.regionalymca.org/childcare.html.

About the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut

The Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut is a charitable, not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) community service organization committed to building healthy lives through programs that strengthen the spirit, mind and body for all. It operates two full service facilities in Danbury and Brookfield, and 2 program sites, by providing a wide variety of programs and services to the residents in the Greater Danbury area.

• Quality pre and after – school childcare.
• Summer day camps at 4 locations.
• Wellness and aquatic programs for youths, teens, and adults.
• Youth leadership programming as well as painting, drama, dance, sculpture, pottery, computer graphics, photography and more at The Center for the Arts and Humanities, home to ESCAPE to the Arts, Danbury.

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Submitted by Bethel, CT

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