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Y Provides Safe Place for Afterschool Learning and Fun

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 and 28 percent of children in Kentucky alone are left unsupervised after 3 p.m., responsible for taking care of themselves. As a leading nonprofit committed to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y 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 schools and in central Kentucky by offering enrichment through arts, music, physical education, sports and nutrition. Youth in the YMCA of Central Kentucky’s afterschool program receive homework assistance and positive socialization skills and can engage in arts, music, games in the gym and more.

“When the school bell rings, learning does not have to end,” said Kelly Easton, Executive Director of the YMCA of Central Kentucky’s Child Development Branch. “The YMCA of Central Kentucky’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. Youth 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.

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 YMCA of Central Kentucky’s afterschool program, please contact Kelly Easton, Executive Director YMCA Child Development, at 859-226-0393 or Keaston@ymcaofcentralky.org.