When the bell rings at the end of the school day, children and teens need a safe and nurturing place to go when their parents are still at work or away from home.

According to the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit public awareness advocacy organization, 15.1 million children nationwide, and 25 percent of children in Georgia alone, are left unsupervised after 3 p.m., responsible for taking care of themselves. As a leading nonprofit committed to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Bainbridge-Decatur County YMCA offers quality afterschool programs that not only help youth learn, grow and thrive, but keep them safe and surrounded by caring adults.

Combining play with academics, the Y’s afterschool programs fill gaps in schools and in Bainbridge by offering enrichment through character education, physical education and nutrition. Youth in the Bainbridge-Decatur County YMCA’s Academy afterschool programs receive an opportunity to experience extracurricular activities while learning new skills and building relationships in an educational environment and can engage in activities such as homework, tutoring, sports, arts and crafts and swimming.

“When the school bell rings, learning does not have to end,” said Adam Schrott, CEO, Bainbridge-Decatur County YMCA. “The YMCA’s Academy afterschool programs are a great way to keep children and teens not only safe, but engaged in fun and productive activities.”

Studies show that participation in afterschool programs helps boost school attendance and academic performance, and helps to alleviate achievement gaps among children from disadvantaged households. Youth who attend afterschool are known to perform better academically and develop skills such as self-regulation, communication, problem solving, team building, negotiation and critical thinking. It’s also a healthy way for children and teens to stay active and productive when the school day ends.

Financial assistance is available to those in need, to ensure every child and teen has the opportunity to learn and grow at the Y.

For more information about the Bainbridge-Decatur County YMCA’s Academy afterschool programs, please contact the YMCA, at (229) 243-0508.

Adam Schrott is the CEO of the Bainbridge-Decatur County YMCA. He can be reached at (229) 243-0508.