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YMCA launches new Middle School Program

Samuel Jackson

Frederick County YMCA

(9/1) The YMCA is launching a new initiative in partnership with the Frederick County Government through the Office for Children and Families and the Frederick County Public Schools.

This grant will provide funding to the YMCA that supports daily activities that will include the following: Sports and recreation; Tutoring and academic enrichment; Arts and humanities; Readiness training for college and careers; and Service learning and community service.

Research indicates that students that are actively involved and engaged in structured

"Out-of-School" programs demonstrate an improvement in their academic accomplishments, and social and behavioral outcomes compared to students who do not participate in enrichment activities. The YMCA has also partnered with Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley and New Spire Arts to create a comprehensive program that will also include weekly off-site field trips.

The S.T.A.R.S. program will be hosted at three locations, serving students from the following five Middle Schools: Thurmont, West Frederick Middle School, Crestwood Middle School; Governor Thomas Johnson Middle School and Monocacy Middle School. The goal will be to serve a minimum of 30 students from each location and ultimately create a solid program base of participants that will support a stand-alone program at each campus.

Program registration will begin on Monday, August 21 at 8 a.m. at the Downtown YMCA. YMCA staff will also be in attendance at each of the five Middle School Open Houses and Back to School Nights to provide more detail on the program specifics and assist with on-site registration. The S.T.A.R.S. program will begin on Monday, September 18 from school dismissal until 6:30 p.m. and operate Monday – Friday.

For additional information on the program description, daily activities, and how to register, visit our website and contact Julie Marker, Youth/Teen Coordinator at jmarker@frederickymca.org or call 301-663-5131 Ext. 1227

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Y’s engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but also to deliver, lasting personal and social change. www.frederickymca.org.