I’m a single mom with a job that moves me around a lot. This is actually the fourth state I’ve lived in. As a mom, especially a single mom with no family or support system in the city, one of the biggest things I worry about is childcare. I don’t worry about that anymore since I found YWCA’s After School Program at my children’s school. In the three other states we’ve lived in, no other program even compares to this one. The staff here is so exceptional-- I’d welcome them into my home. They take the time to learn about and work with each individual child. Plus, my kids love it here. If I pick them up too early, they don’t want to leave. It is educational and entertaining and engaging, but I think what I love the most are the life lessons they are exposed to here. They are exposed to children of different ages and backgrounds, and they have to learn patience and kindness and acceptance. Those are the greater things for kids to learn, and the staff facilitates those lessons. Finally, since my children are so young and there isn’t a grandparent or an aunt or anyone else to pick them up, I literally don’t know what I would do without this program. I am so grateful.

Julia, YWCA After School Parent