Empowering Our Youngest Community Members and Their Families
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago remains a leader in licensed early learning programs, early childhood enrichment programs, before and after school programs, summer camps, overnight camps, teen leadership, and more! We offer youth of all ages a safe and nurturing environment in which to grow, learn, and thrive!
IMPACT:
- The YMCA of Metro Chicago has 14 licensed early learning centers, eight of which are Head Start and Early Head Start
- In 2024, 664 youth were provided high-quality early learning services
- 95% of children served by the Y receive individualized support for educational, medical, or dietary needs
- YMCA Pre-K classrooms were in the top 10% nationally for Emotional Support, Classroom Organization, and Instruction Support
- In 2024, the YMCA of Metro Chicago served 10,000+ youth through before and after school programs
- During the 2023-2024 school year, our Association provided free, out-of-school time enrichment programs through Community School Initiative at 20 Chicago elementary and middle schools — engaging 3,196 students and 2,118 adults, including caregivers and community members
Early Learning & School-Age Programming
Whether it’s attending to a teething infant, teaching the ABCs, or training on use of a 3D printer, the Y is always ready to jump in! The Y is a recognized leader in early learning, ensuring quality care and education for hundreds of youth and families across the city and suburbs. We’re also the largest provider of before and after school care in the area. From summer camp to enrichment, our programs increase academic performance, build character, prevent neighborhood and community violence, and promote health and wellbeing. We enhance out-of-school spaces with special interest offerings to get youth engaged with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math), targeted physical activity, and other skill building to set them up for success in their academic and extracurricular lives.
Early Learning Spotlight
One of the Y’s newest Early Learning client families in 2024 is a single mother and her young children — including a newborn baby — who were living in a shelter after having recently arrived in Chicago. Because of their unfamiliarity with the city, this family faced numerous challenges and often felt isolated.
At the recommendation of a partner organization, the young mother enrolled her preschooler in one of the Y’s Early Learning programs in the spring of 2024. Shortly after, and due in part to the family’s increased stability, they were able to move from their temporary lodging into a friend’s home. While the preschooler’s school costs were covered through financial aid, the family still had very limited resources for purchasing goods, supplies, and furnishings for their new home.
Our YMCA colleagues came together and engaged partner organizations to provide this family with pots, pans, silverware, personal hygiene products, blankets, and items for the new baby, such as clothing and diapers. While the family is still facing challenges, they continue to persevere. Our client has expressed gratitude to our team and attributed her relative stability to the YMCA.
Summer Camp Spotlight
In summer 2024, our team worked with a local elementary school to help newly arrived migrant families apply for state Child Care Assistance Program funding. More than eight students received financial assistance to attend eight weeks of summer camp each, at no cost to their families. We also leveraged our Y connections with partner organizations to outfit these youth with necessary summer supplies such as backpacks, swimsuits, hats, clothes. The YMCA’s partnership with Local Lunchbox meant that free meals were available to them while they were at camp.
These campers say they had an excellent summer. They loved swimming at the Y, and many of the field trips they took were brand-new experiences. The Chicago Dogs baseball game was their favorite!
The Y’s support of these families was made possible through the generous scholarship funds provided by our organization’s donor community.
A YMCA camp counselor said, “the youth were all living in the same shelter and were initially very shy and reserved. By the end of the eight weeks of camp, they were interacting with other campers and making new friends!”