A child receiving a vaccination from a doctor
Nov 10, 2021 - Fry Family YMCA

During Friday’s Vaccination Awareness Day, the Y will be here to support families’ child care needs

This Friday, November 12, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s six city locations are proud to offer our School Days Out program to families needing child care while Chicago Public Schools close for Vaccination Awareness Day, a citywide effort to give eligible children aged 5-11 a chance to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

“As working parents make alternative child care arrangements on Vaccination Awareness Day, we want to remind local families that the Y is here for them,” said Jill Doerner, Chief Learning Officer at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. “Our School Days Out program will keep students engaged and safe for the rest of the day while parents get back to work.”

School Days Out participants engage in arts and crafts, STEAM projects, math lessons, physical activity, and more, practicing the skills they learn in the classroom in a welcoming, enriching environment.

In compliance with the current public health guidelines, the Y’s School Days Out activities will be socially distanced, with students and staff required to wear a face mask at all times while indoors. Additionally, students should come prepared with their own snacks and lunches.

Our School Days Out programming is available to children aged 5-12 and runs from 7am-6pm this Friday. Pricing varies by location, starting at $40 a day for members. As an organization committed to making child care accessible to all families, we provide financial assistance for those with demonstrated need.

To sign up for this Friday’s School Days Out programming or to learn more about location-specific information, please contact your local Y.

Participating centers are listed below:

  • Irving Park YMCA, 4251 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago, IL 60641, 773.777.7500
  • Kelly Hall YMCA, 824 N. Hamlin Ave. Chicago, IL 60643, 773.886.1220
  • Lake View YMCA, 3333 N. Marshfield, Chicago, IL 60657, 773.248.3333
  • McCormick YMCA, 1834 N. Lawndale Ave., Chicago, IL 60647, 773.235.2525
  • Rauner Family YMCA, 2700 S. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60608, 773.847.3115
  • South Side YMCA, 6330 S. Stony Island, Chicago, IL 60637, 773.947.0700
  • North Lawndale YMCA, 3449 W. Arthington, Chicago IL 60624, 773.638.0773

We at the YMCA of Metro Chicago continue to work tirelessly to meet the changing needs of the families we serve. As we collectively recover from the many impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic during Vaccination Awareness Day and beyond, the Y endeavors to be a trusted extension of your support system.