The Campanelli Y Helps Children and Teens in Need of a Safe Place to Go After School
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 26% of children in Illinois 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.
The Campanelli YMCA's afterschool programs aim to keep youth motivated and provide extended learning opportunities that enrich their lives. Fun and enriching programs for youth throughout the school year include: KASPER After School Care conveniently located at 8 District 54 school (Anne Fox, Churchill, Einstein, Hanover Highlands, Lincoln Prairie, Link, John Muir, and Stevenson) and the School's Out Afterschool Program located with transportation usually provided to the YMCA from the following District 54 school – Aldrin, Dooley, Hale, Hoover, Campanelli, Collins, Dirksen, and Fairview.
“When the school bell rings, learning does not have to end,” said Judy Lewnard, Coordinator of School Age Programs, Campanelli Y. “The Campanelli Y's KASPER and School's Out after school programs are 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.
Combining play with academics, the Y's afterschool programs fill gaps in schools and in the Elk Grove Village, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, and Schaumburg Communities by offering enrichment through arts, music, physical education, sports and nutrition. Youth in the Campanelli YMCA's KASPER & School's Out after school programs receive homework assistance and tutoring on tough subjects and a quiet area is always available for children wishing to spend more time on school work. All of the Campanelli Y's afterschool programs implement the YMCA's Food and Fun Afterschool Curriculum, designed to encourage children and families to develop healthy eating habits and a desire to lead active lives.
As one of the leading providers of afterschool programs, YMCAs have been engaging children in afterschool programs for more than 50 years. Today, YMCAs serve nearly half a million youth in school-age care programs and millions more in afterschool programs.
To learn more about afterschool programming at Campanelli Y, contact Judy Lewnard at 847.891.9622 or visit www.campanelliymca.org