After School Programs: An Opportunity for Youth Development

YMCA After School

Brought to you by the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast

Children and teens still need opportunities to learn and engage in meaningful activities even after the school day comes to an end. Extracurricular successes can have a positive effect on their academic success.

YMCA After School

Studies show participation in afterschool programs helps boost school attendance and academic performance and reduces gaps in academic achievement among children from disadvantaged households[1]. Unfortunately, one in five children in Florida are left unsupervised after 3 p.m., according to Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit public awareness advocacy organization.

As a leading nonprofit committed to youth development, and a pioneer in afterschool programs, the Y believes in supporting the holistic processes that all youth experience – from birth to career – to support success in school and life. To help youth reach their full potential, the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast offers before and afterschool programming that supports the social-emotional, cognitive and physical development of children. These programs offer activities in a caring and safe environment where all youth can achieve, feel like they belong and build friendships.

“When the final school bell rings, continued learning opportunities can have a positive influence on how well youth perform in school,” said Maria Aristizabal, Executive Director of Healthy Living at the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast. “Afterschool programs also fill gaps in schools and communities where some recreational opportunities like art, music and physical activity offerings are limited.”

YMCA After School

The afterschool program at the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast offers academic support for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) as well as physical fitness, character development and proper nutrition. Financial assistance is available to those in need, to ensure

For more information about the afterschool program at the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast, please call 904.265.1775 or visit FirstCoastYMCA.org.

[1] Afterschool Alliance, “Afterschool Programs: Making a Difference in America’s Communities by Improving Academic Achievement, Keeping Kids Safe and Helping Working Families

 

Thank to you the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast for sponsoring this post.

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