The pandemic has changed the American schedule for more than a year now, wreaking havoc financially for many families. As such, affordable child care became more important than ever.
Stephanie Knobel, Executive Director for the YMCA Judson Community Center, said their facility has been able to meet that need for affordable child care for more than 20 years.
"We started out to serve youth and families in after school and preschool and then quickly moved into helping families in the neighborhood working with the neighborhood association," Knobel said.
The preschool program serves students ages three and four and the afterschool program serves students K4 through middle school.
Pre-school students at YMCA Judson Community CenterHolly McKissick
Each year, there is an annual campaign to raise money to provide financial assistance the families served.
"The demographics of this neighborhood is considered a lower income community. All of our families are working; however they do need assistance with the fees," Knobel said. "In preschool, all our families are subsidized $70 per week so they pay $60 per week for all-day preschool care. Then our after school students fill out financial assistance forms and then their weekly fee is reduced based on their household size and their household income and we use a sliding scale. So our weekly fee is $50, but most of our families pay anywhere between $17 and $25 a week for after school care."
One of the biggest benefits for the families served during the pandemic has been having the center open even if school isn't open.
Many children have grown up in the program, Knobel said.
"We've had kids start in preschool work their way all through after school and summer day camp and by the time they are 15 or 16 they are ready to volunteer for us. Once they are old enough we get to hire them," Knobel said.
The center serves children beyond the Judson community as well. Knobel said they have students in the after-school program from Hollis Academy, Thomas E. Kerns Elementary School, Greenview Child Development Center, Welcome Elementary School, AJ Whittenberg Elementary School of Engineering, and the Berea area. For those students, transportation to the center is provided.
Those who want to give to the Judson Community Center can donate on the YMCA website and select to give to the center specifically.
