Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Thursday, October 09, 2008

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Six-year-old Ryan Couture writes "I love the movies" in the YMCA journal as his mom, Michelle, lends a hand. Julius Marks Elementary hosted the first of several "Lights On Afterschool" events.

Parents picking up their children from the YMCA afterschool program at Julius Marks Elementary on Wednesday were invited to learn a little more about how their kids spend their afternoons during the annual “Lights On Afterschool” event.

“It’s just a time to raise awareness of the importance of afterschool programs,” said Kelly Easton, director of child development at the YMCA of Central Kentucky. “We try to incorporate a little bit of food and a little bit of fun.”

Rotating through various activity stations in the cafeteria were Lamare Adams and his daughter Megan making “goop” together in a cornstarch-based science experiment, Michelle Couture helping her son Ryan add to the journal of what kids love about the Y, and Robin Patton and son Seth fixing a colorful parfait treat.

“They really don’t know what we do – health, literacy, the way we break it down,” said Dorcas Crenshaw, the Y’s site director at Julius Marks. But she said parents appreciated this hands-on opportunity to see what their children enjoy each afternoon.

The YMCA will celebrate Lights On Afterschool on Oct. 14 at Picadome Elementary and Oct. 15 at Clays Mill, Garden Springs, Glendover, James Lane Allen and Mary Todd elementaries and Lexington Traditional Magnet School.

The free events will include activities for parents and kids such as art projects, health and wellness awareness, fun with math, and nutritious snacks. At Julius Marks, Crenshaw kicked off the two-hour event with a balloon-filled rally in the gym, complete with Lights On Afterschool banners made by the older kids.

Lights On Afterschool is a nationwide program sponsored by the JCPenney Afterschool Fund. The YMCA of Central Kentucky received a $10,200 grant to provide financial assistance for young people who cannot afford an afterschool program or who are at risk of dropping out of an activity because of family hardship.

“We never want parents to have to make the choice: Do I put gas in the car, or make sure my fifth-grader has a place to go?” said Easton, who said the grant money will be funneled toward kids in grades 4-8 as well as kindergarteners.

For more information about YMCA afterschool programs, call Kelly Easton, the YMCA’s director of child development, at (859) 367-7334 or e-mail keaston@ymcaofcentralky.org.

Did you know?

• The YMCA, which has served Lexington and the surrounding area since 1853, is the largest provider of afterschool programs.