After school hours can be a challenging time frame for families with teens: parents are not home yet from work or their day's commitments and students need an engaging, safe place to go. The Shasta Family YMCA recognized this gap, so seven years ago created Y Club to address this need. Y Club is designed to provide 6th - 12th graders an engaging, stable place to go after school where they are respected and cared for by staff they can trust.
"My daughter came to Y Club for the first time...she is now begging to come every day! Thank you for creating this safe and engaging environment for our youth!!!"
Y Club is a diverse program to meet teens where they are at. Participants have opportunities to relax, socialize, make new friends, exercise, study, take a nap, play games, connect to staff and other mentors, have a healthy snack, and/or volunteer. In addition, staff want to instill in every participant self-confidence and independence, encourage personal decision making, and reward making good choices. Y Club is hanging out with purpose.
Y Club is meaningful, just ask these participants:
"I love coming here, it's my home away from home."
"It's super chill. I get to hang out and have some good snacks."
"I have fun with the staff. They always ask about my day and if I am doing okay."
"I can come in, have a snack or take a nap, then do homework."
"I've met some cool new kids and made some friends."
We encourage academic success by providing space and time to work on school homework and projects. In addition, we have partnered with Shasta College's Fellows Program and have mentors/tutors volunteering in Y Club from 3 - 6 pm, Monday - Friday, to help students with any academic needs.
Y Club staff are chosen because they are caring and passionate for youth development. We know teens come from different emotional and environmental situations, or may be processing a difficult time in their life, that is why we take a wider approach to working with our youth. Staff has participated in training from the Center for Mind Body Medicine, and has had training in Adverse Childhood Experiences, recognizing suicide ideation, and in child abuse recognition and prevention. You can feel secure that all Y Club staff have been through a hiring screening process and have received a pre-employment background check, plus they are trained in CPR and First-Aid.
Y Club is open and available to every teen in our community. To our word, we are here for every youth and family who needs us. To that extent, we have made Y Club accessible to all. Every youth will be welcome, regardless of finances or circumstance; no one will be turned away. We have made Y Club free with a Youth or Family membership or Community members may join via a program fee. Financial assistance is available when applicable. Students may experience Y Club for free for one week by obtaining a guest pass from the Y Club office.
Grades 6th -12th
Monday - Friday | 3:30 - 6:00 pm
Located in Y South Building
Y Club follows the school year calendar and breaks.
Programs like Y Club could not be implemented without the help of our sponsors and donors. We call this the Donor Difference. If you are interested in partnering with the Shasta Family YMCA to address the gaps in our community, contact Julie Schroeder, Donor Relations and Development Manager, at 530.246.9622 or [email protected].
