Woodlands area YMCA offers After School Program to keep kids busy and active until the work whistle blows

THE WOODLANDS, TX – With schools back in session throughout The Woodlands area, working parents can relax during school hours – for the most part – and go about their work days. However, the fact remains that there’s a disparity of up to several hours between when a school lets out for the day and when a parent can make it home. In fact, throughout Montgomery County, 1 in 5 kids finds themselves alone after school until evening time.

Fortunately, YMCA of Greater Houston has an innovative solution with its YMCA After School Care Program. Serving 5,000 children between the ages of 5 and 12 in 180 sites across 20 school districts, this program goes far in assisting students and their parents in today’s world that frequently keeps them separated for too many hours after school.

Woodlands Online sat with Monica Thompson, the senior youth development director of after-school and summer day camps, for an exclusive interview to talk about the program and its benefits, available for currently enrolled students..

“At its core, the ASP is a tried-and-true program that allows for parents to have support after school,” said Thompson. “On campuses as well as at other facilities, students are exposed to a safe, supported environment that provides activities, enhances social skills and a sense of belonging, and promotes increased physical activity. Definitely a benefit on several levels.”

YMCA staff – as well as paraprofessionals – receive training year-round. All aspects of the program are certified through the Department of Family and Protective Services. Thompson stresses the safety and all-around benefit of the program when it comes to the wellbeing of its participants.

“We believe that every child deserves access to this program,” she said. “To encourage maximum participation, we offer subsidized rates and offer financial assistance. Because every kid deserves to be a Y kid.”

To learn more about the program and to register, visit www.ymcahouston.org.