YMCA Community Strengthening Network
SPARK
SPARK is a family-focused school readiness program that works with families to help get their children ready for kindergarten by building reading, language, and social skills and is home based. Serves children aged 3-5 who are not yet enrolled in kindergarten. Serves all of Franklin county residents.
Contact Email: spark@ymcacolumbus.org
Contact Number: 614-832-6725
Y Without Walls
The YMCA is a safe place that nurtures and strengthens families and communities. Our buildings are focal points, but our programs are our tools for building community. Our programs are not confined to a particular location. We believe our commitment to our neighbors extend beyond our walls and into communities. Thus, Y Without Walls. WHERE WE ARE Thanks to the dedication and investment of our partners, Y Without Wallsis currently focused in Linden and on the Hilltop. Both identified as neighborhoods of promise by the Mayor’s office, these communities embody legacies of resilience, strength, and the deeply woven fabric of family and neighborhood. Committed to the practice and integrity of work firmly rooted in community-driven empowerment and partnership, Y Without Walls initiatives will continue to celebrate and honor the opportunity to support the futures of Linden, Hilltop, and all OUR communities.
Contact Email: tanyah.shackelford@ymcacolumbus.org
Contact Number: 614-689-2025
Website: https://sites.google.com/ymcacolumbus.org/y-without-walls
Head Start
The program's services and resources are designed to foster stable family relationships, enhance children's physical and emotional well-being, and establish an environment to develop strong cognitive skills. The transition from preschool to kindergarten imposes diverse developmental challenges that include requiring the children to engage successfully with their peers outside of the family network, adjust to the space of a classroom, and meet the expectations the school setting provides. Why should I consider Head Start? Learning Experiences Starting early and right with quality learning experiences through Head Start can help your child succeed now and throughout life. Skilled Teachers Our teachers understand early childhood development and are committed to helping each preschool child prepare for a successful kindergarten experience. Affordability If your family qualifies, there is no cost for Head Start. You qualify if... You have a child who is age 3, 4 or 5 and who is not yet eligible for kindergarten. Your family lives in one of the following zip codes: 43228, 43207, 43123, 43203, 43110, 43223. Your family lives within our service area and meets income qualifications. You have foster children or are homeless (in these cases, children are automatically eligible for services). We provide Head Start services to children who have disabilities.
Contact Email: ahaylesrandall@ymcacolumbus.org
Contact Number: 614-389-3880
Website: https://ymcacolumbus.org/early-childhood/headstart
Kindergarten Jump Start
Briefly explain what your organization does and how it connects people to the resource category selected.: Summer- Kindergarten Jump Start Our Kindergarten Jump Start program makes the most of the summer to get your child kindergarten ready! Our state licensed program is led by qualified teachers and designed to equip preschoolers with the skills they need for kindergarten. Our curriculum includes academics such as reading, writing, math and science as well as social skills. We offer two summer sessions. While one is Literacy focused and the other is Math focused, other academic components will also be covered. All preschool eligible and children entering kindergarten are welcome.
Contact Email: leila.clark@ymcacolumbus.org
Contact Number: 614-565-2172
Website: https://ymcacolumbus.org/early-childhood/preschool/jumpstart
