Sussex County YMCA responds to KEEP closing – TAPinto.net
HARDYSTON, NJ – The Sussex County YMCA is saddened to hear that a nonprofit will no longer be operating in the community.
Kids Educational Enrichment Program has been in the community for more than a century by providing a variety of education and care programs for infants and children. Working families count on organizations like K.E.E.P. to provide a safe and nurturing environment where their children can learn and play while parents are at work.
The Sussex County YMCA is here for the community during this time of uncertainty. The YMCA is the largest child care provider in the U.S., and understands how important it is for parents to know that their kids have a safe, nurturing place to go when not in school or at home.
“We can sympathize how difficult the decision was to discontinue operations. The community has lost a great nonprofit and our thoughts are with the staff and families who are affected,” said Rob Wiggins, district executive director.
How the Y can help
The Sussex County YMCA has been a dependable nonprofit in the county since 1981, providing vital services and programs to over 15,000 community members on an annual basis. A 3.8 million dollar renovation has recently enabled the Sussex County Y to serve more kids through sports and wellness programs. Sussex County students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade receive free access to the Y encouraging healthy lifestyle behaviors and responsible choices. Additionally, the Y strengthens the connection between parent and child with free parent/child classes.
John R. Giacchi, chief school administrator of Franklin Borough School has said, “The YMCA is the perfect partner for our district in providing before- and after-school care for our families, as this is a critical need for many of our working parents/guardians. For many years, the YMCA has served our students with staff who truly have the children’s best interests in mind. The YMCA’s program creates a balance of happy and healthy children who are active and engaged, and it provides time for academic support allowing students to complete homework. The YMCA continues to be an asset to our school and community.”
The safety of children has always been the number one priority for the Y. The Sussex County YMCA currently provides before and after school care for students in Blairstown, Franklin and Hardyston. These state-licensed child care sites meet and exceed state standards, and staff receive on-going training throughout the year. The Y also utilizes the Raptor web-based platform to screen guests, instantly identifying sex-offenders to prevent access to our facilities. The Raptor system is widely used in Sussex County schools. The Sussex County Y is a branch of the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges, which serves more than 2,800 children in before- and after-care throughout nearly 40 locations in Bergen, Essex, Passaic and Sussex counties.
To learn more about our child care programs, visit sussexcountyymca.org. To discuss how the Y can provide child care in your school, contact Rob Wiggins at 973-209-9622. Because the Y is for all, we offer financial assistance to qualifying families who would like their children to participate in YMCA programs.
ABOUT THE Y
Established in 1885, the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges invests in its diverse communities to promote wellness, safety and quality of life for children, adults and seniors. Its seven branches in East Orange, Livingston, Maplewood, Hackensack, Hardyston, Stillwater and Wayne are committed to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility through an array of programs. Some 35,000 people belong to the Metro Y, which awards more than $3.2 million annually in direct and indirect financial assistance.