Begin to learn Respect, Discipline and Self Control. This 8 week session of Self Defense will teach you how to react when you find yourself in the following scenarios: Against a Punch, Against a Kick, Against a Grab, Against a Push, Against a Choke and more. Click Here For More Details.
Early Care & School Age Program News
Pennies Support Afterschool at the Y
November 23rd, 2011
Erie, PA - From Nov. 30 through Dec. 12, shoppers at the jcpenney Millcreek Mall are invited to turn small change into “pennies from heaven” by rounding up their holiday purchases and donating the difference to the YMCA of Greater Erie. The YMCA of Greater Erie is one of 1,100 afterschool organizations from across the country matched with a local jcpenney store that will benefit from the entire proceeds raised during the pennies from heaven campaign.
“It takes the support of our entire community to make it possible for more kids to be involved in a positive learning environment after school,” said Tammy Roche, vice president of financial development for the YMCA of Greater Erie. “As customers shop jcpenney this holiday season, we hope they will keep this mission in mind so that the social and academic learning opportunities we provide after school will continue to be available toErie students.”
Stroke Development Swim Instruction
November 10th, 2011
If you are looking to try swimming for the first time, training for the Bay Swim, a triathlon or the QUAD, Stroke Development Swim Instruction can meet your needs. Click Here For More Details.
jcpenny “Pennies from Heaven” Supports Local Kids
October 14th, 2011
From Oct. 12-25, shoppers at the jcpenney store at the Millcreek Makk are invited to turn small change into “pennies from heaven” by rounding up their purchases and donating the difference to a local afterschool program. The YMCA of GreaterErie, is one of 1,100 afterschool organizations from across the country matched with a local jcpenney store that will benefit from the proceeds raised during the pennies from heaven campaign.
PITTSBURH STEELER ANTONIO BROWN TURNS THE LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL
October 14th, 2011
This October 20, more than 7,500 communities and 1 million Americans will celebrate the 12th annual Lights On Afterschool, a nationwide rally for afterschool programs organized by the Afterschool Alliance. Last year, more than 900 Ys across the country, inculding the YMCA of Greater Erie, participated.
The Y’s celebration is open to the public and will be held at the Downtown Y, 31 West 10th Street, from 4-7 p.m. The event will focus on youth-centered activities and networking with invited lawmakers, business and community leaders to raise awareness of the importance of afterschool. Event highlights include a visit from Pittsburgh Steeler Wide Receiver Antonio Brown and County Executive Barry Grossman.
Nominate a Girl for the Girls of Merit Recognition
August 26th, 2011
Tell us about young girls in your life that make a difference – the special things they do, their thoughtfulness, their accomplishments and more. 10 young girls will be honored at the Girls of Merit luncheon, a part of the Erie Times News Girls World Expo on Saturday, Nov. 6 at the Bayfront Convention Center.
GIVING KIDS A BETTER CHOICE
August 9th, 2011
Kids come to the YMCA before & afterschool for programs that promote healthy living, service and character development. They spend less time watching TV and more time connecting with positive role models.
Studies show that participation in afterschool programs helps boost school attendance and academic performance, and helps 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.
Now enrolling school age children at 17 locations throughout Erie County. Busing provided to and from school. Financial assistance is available. Click here for an enrollment application.
Meet our staff and our kids by appointment or join us at our Open House on Thursday, Sept. 8 from 6-7:30 p.m.
Free Meals & Activities for Kids
June 16th, 2011
Erie, PA – This summer, YMCA of the USA partnered with Walmart to expand the national Summer Food Service Program to get food to kids in Y programs and communities. The YMCA of Greater Erie, through a competitive grant process, has been awarded $30,000 to expand the Summer Food Service Program here in Erie. Eight new sites will be created and can serve as many as 125 children per day per location.
Currently, the YMCA of Greater Erie administers the Summer Food Service Program in partnership with the City of Erie and the Housing Authority of the City of Erie at 9 City of Erie parks and at four Housing Authority of the City of Erie locations. These recreation and summer foods program locations are free and open to the public. Meals are limited to children 2-18 years of age. Registration is NOT required. Current locations serving free lunch through August 20 include:
Monday-Friday, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Lunch served from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Bayview Park, West 2nd & Cherry
Burton Park, East 38th & Burton
Columbus Park, West 16 & Poplar
Frontier Park, West 6th & Seminole
Hillside Park, East 41st b/t Old French & Sunset
McKinley Park, East 21 & East Ave
Pulaski Park, East 10th& Hess
Rodger Young Park, Buffalo & Downing
Joseph Walczak Park, East 45th & Alan
Monday-Friday, 11:30-12:30 p.m.
John E. Horan Garden Apartments
Erie Heights
Bird Drive
Agnes R. Priscaro Apartments
Eight Additional locations (these are funded by WalMart) beginning Monday, June 20 through August 20 include:
Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Lunch served 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Haggerty Park, West 32nd & Schaper
Washington Park, West24th & Raspberry
Christian & Missionary Church Alliance, Union City
Monday-Friday, 4:30-6 p.m. Dinner served 4:30-5:30 p.m.
10th Street United Methodist Church, 538 East 10th Street
Monday-Friday, 6-7:30 p.m., Dinner served from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Glenwood Park Y Playground Pavilion, 3727 Cherry Street
Monday-Friday, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dinner served during this time.
Downtown Y Helberg Room, 31 West 10h Street
Editors Note: A number of other community centers also offer the Summer Food Service Program (or a version of it). Confirmed locations are the Trinity Center and the Boys & Girls Club, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Center, and Booker T. Washington Center.
275 Graduate from YMCA Preschool
June 6th, 2011
Research continues to reinforce that what children learn before kindergarten affects their learning and success for life. The early years before kindergarten are unique; they lay the foundation for all future learning and social development and cannot be
duplicated later in life. When it comes to early learning, there are no “do overs.”
The YMCA of Greater Erie’s Early Care & School-Age Enrichment Centers will “graduate” 275 preschoolers to kindergarten this month; the YMCA is the largest provider of early care, preschool and school-age enrichment with 21 locations throughout Erie County. Preschoolers, in cap & gown, have prepared special songs and ceremonies for their families and friends.
“”There’s increasing evidence that children gain a lot from going to preschool,” says Jill Simmons, YMCA of Greater Erie vice president of Early Care & School-Age Enrichment. “At preschool, they become exposed to numbers, letters, and shapes. And, more important, they learn how to socialize — get along with other children, share, contribute to circle time.”
“Children who attend high-quality preschool enter kindergarten with better pre-reading skills, richer vocabularies, and stronger basic math skills than those who do not. Kindergarten teachers will tell you that the students who are ready to learn are those who come into school with good social and behavior-management skills. In fact, educators have so recognized the importance of giving kids some form of quality early education that about 40 states now offer state-funded pre-K programs, including Pennsylvania.”
Downtown Y Child Watch Opens April 25th
April 18th, 2011
The Downtwon Y will open their Child Watch Program on Monday, April 25th. Click Here For More Details. Click Here For Child Watch Procedures.
