2013 Annual Report--FINAL.pdf - YMCA of Greater Rochester

Collaborating . . . To Develop Youth
After school
programming impacts
student success
Leilani Hernandez was bored when she got home from
kindergarten, until her mom enrolled her in the YMCA’s
after school program at School 8.
“I’m really
pleased with the
program. They
teach her a lot.”
-Michel Gonzalez
Now in second grade, the 7-year-old loves the art projects, literacy computer programs,
science sessions, and homework help. Her group even brainstormed to write its own rules
and makes sure they are followed. Among them, “no hitting back if somebody hits you.
Tell a grownup,” says Leilani. “If any of us breaks the rules, the kids remind them.”
Michel Gonzalez, her mother, says “besides learning new academic things every day, she’s
learning to work in a group. When she comes home, she has so much to talk about. I’m really
pleased with the program. They teach her a lot.”
Thanks to funding from the United Way of Greater Rochester, the state-licensed program
is free to students in grades K-6 at School 8. Among the program’s other collaborations: a
teacher from School 8 directs literacy work and Boy Scout and Girl Scout leaders run troops
during the afternoon program.
“The Y plays an important role in helping youth succeed,” says Patricia Davis, director of
community investment for the United Way of Greater Rochester. “Because our youth spend
the majority of their waking hours out of school, providing high quality, positive, engaging
programming to fill this time can make the world of difference in their behavior and their
school work.” Research shows that local youth who participate in United Way-funded
after school programs perform better in school, attend school more regularly, and have
fewer unexcused absences than their peers who do not, she adds.
The YMCA program at School 8 has
served more than 115 students through
this school year, using the gym, cafeteria,
computer lab, and several classrooms.
Groups also travel across the Driving
Park Bridge for swim lessons and
physical education programs at the
Maplewood YMCA.
Sara Lewis, vice president of youth
development at the YMCA, says,
“I think the Y as a community partner
can really turn things around for youth
academically and in terms of wellness
and social/emotional skills.”
A look at the future:
• YMCA after school programs continue
to evolve away from child care toward
holistic enrichment, including arts
education, mentoring, service learning,
academic support, social/emotional
development, and parent engagement.
• With the United Way, the YMCA is
working on offering a six-week Y
Readers summer program for students
younger than third grade.