The Southwest New Brunswick YMCA is setting up a new after-school program in Fundy Shores.
It is something the organization said is needed in the small rural community outside Saint John. A survey done by the community and the Fundy Shores school revealed a need, which resulted in it submitting a proposal to the Department of Education.
Manager of Community and Program Development in Eastern Charlotte Paige Scott said the YMCA applied. The YMCA already has a few programs in place in St. George – at the Eastern Charlotte Recreational Complex.
“We were chosen as the service provider for the program,” she said.
Scott said these programs are widely needed in rural communities.
“Right now, we have a program in Saint George, and this year we have 17 children in our program and we have a waitlist,” she said. “I really feel for the parents because the offering is so limited, especially for the licensed.”
Scott said there is no after-school program in Fundy Shores.
“We were really excited that Fundy Shores was interested as well because there’s a huge need there,” she said in an interview.
The new program could see at least 15 kids in the program once the occupancy and licensing are granted to the YMCA.
“We’ll be setting up at the end of the school day …we’ve got a cute little library center with, you know, age-appropriate books, sensory toys,” she said, also adding there will be an affirmation station. “We have a big focus on art, science, math, and literature. “We really like to get the kids outside. So, we have a huge focus on getting them outside and the Fundy Shore School is a beautiful area for that.”
The team from the YMCA hired on education locally and will have another educator come in from Penfield, meaning the educators are familiar with the area and the needs of those kids, Scott said.
“I think that making these moves and having these offerings in rural areas is just part of what we’re trying to do, and we’re really trying to make sure that everyone has opportunities and that everyone can have access to the services that we can provide,” Scott said in an interview.
Mayor George (Denny) Cogswell said in a release the after-school program is a stepping stone for childcare and daycare services in the community.
“Our goal is to lighten the load of our hard-working families. We want them to have access to affordable, high-quality, reliable care for their children,” said Cogswell in the release.
Synergi, the company that provides economic development for Fundy Shores, called the program a win-win for the community, businesses, and families.
“Providing childcare to the area will not only help attract new businesses and families but also shows that Fundy Shores is open for business and aims for long-term growth,” said Brian Cooke, the executive director of Synergi.
The program hopes to be up and running soon, but Scott said no official date has been announced yet.
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