Providing youth with opportunities to continue to learn and engage in meaningful activities at the end of the school day can boost their academic success. To help motivate and inspire kids to learn, the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA branches are offering afterschool programs to school-aged children throughout the area. The Y’s afterschool program combines academics with play and offers a caring and safe environment for youth who would otherwise be left unsupervised.
During the school year, 15.1 million U.S. children are left unsupervised after 3 p.m., according to the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit public awareness advocacy organization. With the start of the new school year, the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA encourages parents to make sure that children are involved in safe, educational experiences after school.
“At the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, we believe all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve,” said Terry McCarthy, Executive Director of the New Haven YMCA Youth Center, a branch of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA. “In the Y’s afterschool programs, youth are cultivating values, skills and relationships and have an extra support system that encourages them to achieve success.”
Studies show participation in afterschool programs helps boost school attendance and academic performance and reduces gaps in academic achievement among children from disadvantaged households.
YMCA afterschool programs promote a love for learning, social and emotional development, and character and creativity. In the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA’s afterschool programs youth receive help with homework, a healthy snack, play time and additional activities that may explore arts & crafts, music, swimming, science, nature and community service.
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 Central Connecticut Coast YMCA’s afterschool programs, please visit www.cccymca.org or call 203 777 9622.
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The Central Connecticut Coast YMCA is a community service agency dedicated to addressing community needs that enrich families, promote health and wellness, develop youth and build self-esteem for all. YMCA membership and participation is open to everyone regardless of race or ethnic background, religious preference or ability to pay.
In 2011, the CCC YMCA served 3,000 families daily in child care programs; 10,000 kids participated in youth sports programs; 15,500 children took advantage of the Y’s instructional swimming lessons; 4,693 kids attended one of our day camps, 776 youth experienced the magic of resident camp; and 1,685 people were served through one of our housing programs. The CCC YMCA also provided $3.37 million in direct financial assistance to more than 6,000 children, individuals and families.
The Central Connecticut Coast Y is based in downtown New Haven with eleven Y branches in Greater New Haven and Greater Bridgeport while also operating YMCA Camp Hi-Rock, a 1,000 acre residential and day camp in Mt. Washington, Massachusetts. W cccymca.org P 203 777 9622
