As another summer winds down and a new school year is on the horizon, the YMCA of Greater wants to remind parents and caregivers that the Y’s before and after-school programs are places where children can remain active, learning and engaged during their time out of school – a critical time for all school-age children. Each year, the Y works to provide engaging activities in a caring and safe environment after school, and this year will be no different.

“One in five children do not have someone to care for them after school, an essential time to help increase children’s success in school,” said Elizabeth Covino, chief community relations officer of the YMCA of Greater Nashua. “As an organization dedicated to youth development, we know how important it is that our children have a safe and enriching environment for learning, both in and out of school. We are pleased to be able to provide this space to the children in our community, allowing their invaluable social, emotional, physical and academic growth to continue long after the school day ends.

The YMCA offers before school care at the Merrimack YMCA. Also, through a new partnership with the Amherst Middle School, the Y is offering “Before the Bell” at that school from 7-8 a.m.

Afterschool care is available at the Nashua YMCA and Merrimack YMCA. New this year is YMCA Academy, an afterschool program for students at the Mont Vernon Village School.

Through a balanced approach to youth development, these programs offer academic support, indoor and outdoor activities, arts programs, cultural events and projects, STEM programming, and family and parent engagement opportunities.

The Y employs Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) standards in our afterschool programs that help build a healthier future for our nation’s children by encouraging healthy eating habits, limiting screen time and providing physical activity to keep every child healthy.

Financial assistance is available to ensure every child has the opportunity to learn and grow at the Y. For more information about the Y’s afterschool program visit: https://nmymca.org/child-care/school-aged-child-care.

Elizabeth A. Covino is the chief community relations officer for the YMCA of Greater Nashua. She may be reached at 603-689-2440 or ecovino@nmymca.org.

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