The Greater Valley YMCA fills summer learning gap

The Greater Valley YMCA noticed an essential chance to close the opportunity gap for summer learning. They saw a need in the community for childcare as well as continued learning and have by all accounts had great success in achieving that goal, serving hundreds of children each year. Partnering with the Lehigh Valley Summer Learning Coalition and the Lehigh Valley Food Policy Council, the Greater Valley YMCA created a safe place for kids to have fun, be fed, and learn over the summer. 

Among their many accomplishments, the Greater Valley YMCA expanded its summer feeding program to local pools in Easton, Fountain Hill, and Catasauqua. Through these efforts, fewer kids are going without food during the summer. Families see the impact the YMCA has made as well. Families seem to really appreciate the YMCA’s literacy efforts, as academic enrichment can be tough to fit in during a busy home life.
 

With additional support, the Greater Valley YMCA hopes to expand access though their programs and partner programs. In 2019, they plan to open seven new sites for a total of 12 summer meal programs.

Additionally, they aim to host more fieldtrips and bring in more programs to their camps; for example, they hope to collaborate with a Shakespeare festival and engage over 650 children.
 

“Providing year-round care extending to the summer is just as important as the school year. Investment in the community is very valuable.”
Crystal Messer
Greater Valley YMCA
 

The Greater Valley YMCA Open Summer Sites for 2019 include:
 

• Allentown Branch of the Greater Valley YMCA
  425 South 15 Street, Allentown, (P) 610-351-9622
  Jun 17 to Aug 23 - Monday to Friday - 4 PM to 5 PM

 

• First United Methodist Church in Bangor
  55 North 3rd Street, Bangor, (P) 610-881-4470
  Jun 17 to Aug 23 - Monday to Friday - Times to be announced

 

• Bethlehem Branch of the Greater Valley YMCA
  430 East Broad Street, Bethlehem, (P) 610-867-7588
  Jun 10 to Aug 23 - Monday to Friday - 5 PM to 5:45 PM

 

• Suburban North Branch of the Greater Valley YMCA
  880 Walnut Street, Catasauqua, (P) 610-264-5221
  Jun 17 to Aug 23 - Monday to Friday - 11:30 AM to 1 PM

 

• Catasauqua Pool in Catasauqua
  501 American Street, Catasauqua, (P) 610-264-5221
  Jun 18 to Aug 22 - Monday to Thursday - 11 AM to 11:30 AM

 

• North Catasauqua Park, Catasauqua
  701 Grove Street, Catasauqua, (P) 610-264-5221
  Jun 24 to Aug 1 - Monday to Thursday - 11:10 AM to 11:30 AM

 

• Vanderveer Park, Easton
  12th & Spring Garden Street, Easton, (P) 610-258-6158
  Jun 17 to Aug 16 - Monday to Friday - 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM

 

• Centennial Park, Easton
  12th & Ferry Street, Easton, (P) 610-258-6158
  Jun 17 to Aug 16 - Monday to Friday - 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM

 

• Eddyside Pool, Easton
  Route 611 North, Easton, (P) 610-258-6158
  Jun 17 to Aug 16 - Monday to Friday - 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM

 

• Heil Park, Easton
  900 Packer Avenue, Easton, (P) 610-258-6158
  Jun 17 to Aug 16 - Monday to Friday - 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM

 

• Easton/Phillipsburg Branch of the Greater Valley YMCA
  1225 West Lafayette Street, Easton, (P) 610-258-6158
  Jun 10 to Aug 23 - Monday to Friday - 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM

 

• Fountain Hill Pool, Fountain Hill
  1301 Stanely Avenue, Fountain Hill, (P) 610-867-7588
  Jun 17 to Aug 9 - Monday to Friday - 12 PM to 1 PM

More information is available at www.gv-ymca.org.