Following another memorable summer of YMCA Youth and Teen Day Camps -- held at two locations in Downey, and the all new Y Early Learning Readiness Open Play Program for caregivers and their children ages 0-5 at Furman Park -- the Kolar Family YMCA (formerly Downey) is excited to announce their Fall Program line up for the community.

YMCA Early Learning Readiness Program (ELR) is a caregiver education program that teaches caregivers with children, ages 0-5, how to be their child’s first teacher. Caregivers can be anybody of legal age: parent, aunt or uncle, older brother or sister, grandparent, neighbor, or even nanny.

ELR focuses on a holistic family engagement approach by facilitating an educational environment where the caregiver can help develop their child’s physical, verbal, and social skills they will need to be school-ready. Caregivers learn how children develop and how to encourage skill building at home.

ELR is a free caregiver program designed for families who may not have access to preschool for their children. ELR is overseen by master’s degree-level social workers who work with caregivers to expose families to community resources through parent empowerment workshops, monthly field trips, and community agency presentations to connect the families to the community. ELR aims to provide a safe haven for families by fostering a support network for caregivers.

Registration for ELR is open now. The ongoing program began Tuesday from 10 a.m. – noon at Furman Park Kolar Family YMCA Arts, Enrichment and Neighborhood Center, 10419 Rives Ave., Downey, CA 90241. Contact Jimmy Dominguez, Family Resource Director, at jimmydominguez@ymcala.org or 213.898.5742.

For school-aged children ages 4 -11 years old, YMCA Enrichment and Child Care programs are now open for registration at Gallatin, Imperial, Price, Rio Hondo, and Rio San Gabriel Elementary Schools in Downey.

These programs are led by qualified and caring staff team members who focus on active learning opportunities designed to engage and expand their growing minds. Children engage in active play and collaboration on fun projects. This program supports academic achievement, foster health and wellness, instill positive social-emotional learning and create opportunities for you and families to belong and connect. Middle school-aged teen programs are also available at Price and Rio San Gabriel Elementary Schools.

These before and after school programs offer academic support and homework assistance. The program is available on early dismissal days and families have access to day camp during school breaks.

Financial assistance is available based on family income, number of household members, and the availability of Y funds. It is provided fairly and openly on a first-come, first-served basis. The Y also works with third party participants and can provide information for such subsidy to families.

The Kolar Family YMCA Board of Managers and other volunteers remain focused on their $20,000,000 Capital Campaign for the new facility and traditionally raise over $200,000 annually to provide assistance to those in need.

For more information and/or registration for Kolar Family YMCA programs and the Y’s Yes To More Capital Campaign, visit https://www.ymcala.org/locations/kolar-family-ymca or call (562) 862-4201.

Dan Powell is interim executive director and executive vice president of the Kolar Family YMCA.