UNCERTAINTY PUT TO REST THROUGH YMCA SUPPORT
HUNT COUNTY, TX (March 8, 2018) The new year can bring uncertainly to many but that was not the case for the parents of children enrolled in the YMCA Afterschool program because of the efforts of the Dallas Y.  At the end of the year, the Greenville and Hunt County YMCA announced the difficult decision they would be closing their operations.  This decision effected many families in the surrounding districts that depended on the YMCA for after school childcare. Beginning in January 2018, as school began those families returned to a familiar place as the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas stepped in and provided continuity of care for these YMCA families.
 
“When the Greenville Hunt County YMCA was unable to continue operations, it was important to our Board of Directors and staff that the kids and families that counted on the Y were still provided quality afterschool care in their schools,” said Curt Hazelbaker, YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas President and CEO.
 
The Dallas YMCA has an exceptional program serving nearly 7,000 students at 75 afterschool sites throughout the Dallas area. The Dallas Y Staff’s experience and training provides a safe and fun environment for students to learn, grow and thrive.   
 
Serving five afterschool sites in 4 area districts: Celeste, Como-Pickton, Greenville and Sulphur Springs, the Dallas Y is helping the children and families in these districts as a natural extension of the programs provided every day to the families in North Texas.
 
Short and long term strategies to better serve the community are being developed by school district and community leaders in conjunction with the Dallas Y staff.  Beginning March 12, YMCA Program Director, Chad Knight will have an office in the Sulphur Springs district and beginning this summer the YMCA will provide a summer camp program at the Sulphur Springs Middle School.
 

“Collaborations with the school district is critical to making sure we have a strong sustainable program, so the community has been overwhelmingly supportive of the YMCA,” said Suzana Delgado-Gray, YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, Associate Vice President of School Age Services.