A new school year is filled with potential: a chance to start new routines and habits, build new friendships and discover new possibilities and interests. It’s an exciting time for many kids, however, at the end of the school day, one in five children do not have someone to care for them after school, according to Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit public awareness organization.
As families are transitioning from summer to fall, the South Shore YMCA is offering programs to school-aged children in a variety of locations across the South Shore to keep them active, busy and engaged during out-of-school time. Through a well-rounded approach to youth development, the Y’s programs offer activities in a caring and safe environment during the critical hours after school. Whether through sports, mentorship, or academic support, the Y nurture the potential of youth throughout the school year.
“Over 11 million children are unsupervised between 3 and 6 p.m., an essential time to help increase children’s success in school,” said Kate Morrison, Director of Afterschool Programs in the South Shore YMCA’s Quincy Branch. “Our afterschool program at the Y provides opportunities for families to ensure their kids are receiving additional support, continued learning and a chance to participate in meaningful activities that can inspire children’s motivations and help them reach their potential.”
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 South Shore YMCA’s After School program youths receive help with homework and can also explore arts, music, literacy, and more.
The South Shore YMCA also employs Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) standards in our After School programs that help build a healthier future for our nation’s children by encouraging healthy eating habits, limiting screen time and providing physical activity to keep every child healthy. While in these before and after school programs, students also receive healthy snacks and meals in addition to mental and physical exercise, as well.
Across the South Shore, the SSYMCA’s before and after school programs have more than 450 participants, a number that is expected to continue to grow in the coming weeks as school gets underway. Financial assistance is available to those in need, to ensure every child and teen has the opportunity to learn and grow at the Y.
To learn more about the South Shore YMCA’s before and after school programs, contact Jamie Farrell, Director of School Age Childcare (Emilson Y, Hanover), at jfarrell@ssymca.org or (781) 829-8585 ext. 8262 or Kate Morrison, Director of After School Programs (Quincy) at kmorrison@ssymca.org or 617-481-4477.
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About the South Shore YMCA
The South Shore YMCA is a charity serving the communities of Quincy, Randolph, Holbrook, Weymouth, Braintree, Milton, Hingham, Hull, Cohasset, Scituate, Norwell, Hanover and beyond. Financial Assistance is a Y community benefit available to all families in need, applicable to all Y programs and services. To learn more about the South Shore YMCA, visit www.ssymca.org.