Medina County YMCA

When most of us think of the YMCA, we immediately think of a gymnasium and a swimming pool but the true picture of the part they play in the community is much more involved. The YMCA has been helping build strong communities since 1851 through a wide variety of activities that range from volunteering to counseling. The Medina YMCA even offers both before school and after school age child care in addition to sports activities and summer camps.

Before and After School Child Care is provided at the elementary schools in Medina for children in first grade through fifth grade. The children may be dropped off at the site anytime after 7:00 am and after the morning bell rings, they are released from the YMCA's care to their classrooms for school. After school, they are cared for from the time they get out of school until 6:00 pm. This program offers large group activities, arts and crafts, as well as indoor and outdoor games for the children. Homework time is available daily and snacks are provided after school. The YMCA also offers the Phoenix Program which is an alternative to public school education for youth experiencing difficulties in their home school district. The Phoenix Program has been around for thirty years and it gives different school districts and students the opportunity to still work on their academic credits while removed from school for both behavioral and academic reasons. With a current enrollment of forty-eight students, these middle and high school youth are given corrective teaching in classrooms of ten to fifteen students each. The majority of their students have been referred by the local school district for a variety of reasons from academic to suspensions and expulsions. With transportation provided by the school district, students ideally take part in the Phoenix Program for the length of time they have been suspended from the local schools although occasionally they have students who simply aren't productive in larger environments such as public schools and some of them take part in the program all of the way from junior high school through graduation. Those who stay through graduation still attend their original school's graduation ceremony and they walk across the stage with their peers and receive their diploma from that school. School Age Day Camp is provided in the summer for all children entering grades Kindergarten through fifth grade. This experience is designed to fill the children's day with safety, fun, and friends. Emphasis is place on social interaction, motor development, and team dynamics while teaching honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility. Middle School Age Day Camp is for youth that are entering sixth through eighth grade. This camp offers opportunities for the campers to be involved in leadership building activities while continuing to learn the core values of the YMCA.

The YMCA has been building healthy spirits, minds, and bodies for over 150 years while remaining dedicated to improving the quality of life for all people, regardless of age, race, religion, or ability to pay. There's something at the Y for everyone. Get involved today and don't forget to tell them that The Advocate sent you!

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