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 Connecticut 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 the Shoreline by offering enrichment through arts, music, physical education, sports and nutrition. Youth in the Valley-Shore YMCA’s afterschool program receive homework assistance and can engage in sports, arts and other activities.
“When the school bell rings, learning does not have to end,” said Richard Ward, Youth development Director, Valley-Shore YMCA. “The Valley-Shore 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. 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.
The Valley-Shore YMCA offers afterschool programs at 8 different school sites along the towns in the Shoreline and River Valley Area: Clinton, Westbrook, Old Saybrook, Chester, Deep River and Essex. 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 Valley-Shore Y’s afterschool program, please contact Kathy Scholl, School Age Director, at 860-399-9622.
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