The Eastside Y will offer an Intro to Swim Team class Aug. 17, 19 , 24 & 26 at the Tri-Community Pools & Waterpark on the Eastside Y’s campus.  Program begins at 10 a.m. and is open to children 5-18 years old.    This class will give children the knowledge needed to prepare them for  swim team.  Includes flip turns, starts, stroke development & endurance swimming. Cost is $15 for Y Members and $75 for non-members.  Register at the Eastside Y, 2101 Nagle Road, or call (814) 899-9622.

With back to school season upon us, the YMCA of Greater Erie reminds parents to consider adding before and afterschool care to their school year plans.  More and more youth are being left unsupervised when the school day ends, but afterschool activities can help keep youth off the streets and engaged in learning while their parents are at work.

For example, research conducted by the Afterschool Alliance shows that nearly 15 million children in the United States are unsupervised afterschool between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6p.m. each day – in Pennsylvania 26 percent of children are responsible for their own care.  During these hours, youth are at greater risk of involvement in risky behaviors.  The ability of affordable afterschool care can help parents who are concerned about their children’s well being. 

A new survey finds no progress in participation in afterschool programs by Pennsylvania youth over the last five years, even as statewide demand for afterschool programs has increased. The rate of participation in afterschool held steady at just nine percent, trailing the national average of 15 percent, and a significant percentage of the state’s children are still unsupervised each afternoon after the school day ends. The data come from the landmark America After 3PM study, conducted for the Afterschool Alliance and sponsored by the JCPenney Afterschool Fund. It is being released this month in conjunction with Lights On Afterschool, a nationwide rally for afterschool set for October 22.

 “Pennsylvania trails the nation and has a long way to go in making afterschool programs

available to all families that need them,” said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi

Grant. “The data tell us that the great majority of Pennsylvania parents who want their kids in

afterschool programs aren’t able to find them, usually because programs aren’t available, they

can’t afford the fees, or transportation issues make it impossible. These are all barriers we can

and should overcome. Quality afterschool programs keep kids safe, inspire them to learn, and

help working families. Every Pennsylvania family that needs an afterschool program should have access to one.”

At the Y, financial assistance is available for all Y programs, including afterschool care, to ensure that all kids can come to the Y.  In fact, 57 percent of children enrolled in our program receive financial assistance from the Y.

Afterschool programming at the Y not only provides learning opportunities outside the classroom, but also provides a safe environment where kids and teens can learn, grow and thrive.

It is important that our youth have safe out-of-school experiences that complement what they learn during the day – it’s essential to their personal development.  We believe that when we nurture the potential of our youth, we make a significant difference in their lives. 

As the largest provider of childcare in Erie County, 14 licensed school age locations total, the Y’s afterschool programs promote healthy living, service and character development.  Afterschool program participants also develop important social skills necessary to interact with peers.  Youth are learning the importance of healthy living and healthy eating; spending less “screen time” with television indoors; and are connecting with positive role models.

In addition to afterschool programs at schools and at the Y’s four membership branches, for the past 10 years, the Y has provided afterschool programming for the Erie Housing Authority’s John E. Horan Garden Apartments and Erie Heights.  It’s in these programs that the Y is serving Erie’s most at-risk, underserved youth.

At the Y’s Metro Teen Center, located at the Downtown Y, teens are offered a safe place to socialize, provided a wide selection of teen fitness and healthy living programs and supported by Y staff with homework help and self-esteem building activities.  Our program is open until 8:30 p.m. and includes a healthy evening meal.

While the Y is just one resource for afterschool care, a number of other quality programs are available at organizations like the Neighborhood Art House, Martin Luther King Center, Booker T. Washington Center, John F. Kennedy Center, and the Boys & Girls Club of Erie.  Together, with the Y, these organizations are providing support and leadership to address our community’s most pressing social issues – affordable childcare, youth obesity, teen recreation and family time.

To learn more about the Y, www.ymcaerie.org.

The Downtown Y has teamed up with Michael’s Hair Salon for the 5th annual free back to school cuts event.  Read how you can help here.