Schools
YMCA Helping Kids Stay Active After School
When the bell rings at the end of the school day, children and teens need a safe and nurturing place to go when their parents are still at work or away from home.
According to the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit public awareness advocacy organization, 15.1 million children nationwide are left unsupervised after 3 p.m., responsible for taking care of themselves.
In Massachusetts, 26% (274,176 kids) of K-12 youth are responsible for taking care of themselves after school. As a leading nonprofit committed to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the offers quality afterschool programs that not only help youth learn, grow and thrive, but keep them safe and surrounded by caring adults.
Combining play with academics, the Y’s afterschool programs fill gaps in school and home by offering enrichment through arts, music, physical education, sports and nutrition. Youth in the Y’s afterschool program receive homework assistance and tutoring on tough subjects and can engage in afterschool activities, e.g.: arts, physical activities and games.
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“When the school bell rings, learning does not have to end,” said Meegan O’Neil, Executive Director of the Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA. “The Y’s afterschool program is a great way to keep children and teens not only safe, but engaged in fun and productive activities.”
Studies show that participation in afterschool programs helps boost school attendance and academic performance, and helps to alleviate achievement gaps among children from disadvantaged households.
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Kids and teens who attend afterschool are known to perform better academically and develop skills such as self-regulation, communication, problem solving, team building, negotiation and critical thinking. It’s also a healthy way for children and teens to stay active and productive when the school day ends.
Kids in the Y’s afterschool program receive homework assistance and remain active with games and physical activity, which is important in keeping children healthy. 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 Y’s afterschool program, please visit our website, www.northshoreymca.org.
