Willow Glen Resident

Community

Booksin, Galarza celebrate on-site childcare programs

By Emilie Crofton

Worrying about where or what a child is doing after school should not be another stress on a parent's already long list.

That's why Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that all children have access to quality, affordable after-school programs, will host "Lights On Afterschool," an Oct. 18 event celebrating after-school programs across the United States.

YMCA after-school enrichment sites at Booksin and Galarza elementary schools in Willow Glen will host two of approximately 7,500 events taking place throughout the nation.

"Programs like these are a necessity for parents because a majority of them work," says Stephanie Sanchez, site director at Booksin's childcare program. "After-school programs offer children a safe but fun enriching environment."

The celebrations begin at San Jose City Hall's rotunda at 8 a.m. with the Breakfast of Champions, which will recognize 30 local corporate leaders.

Mary Hoshiko, vice president of program and community development for the YMCA of Santa Clara Valley, will attend the breakfast. Hoshiko serves as a 2007-08 after-school ambassador, whose job includes ensuring after-school programs are available to all families.

Sanchez says there will be a bingo family night for the children that will include raffle prizes and fun at the Booksin site, located at 1590 Dry Creek Road.

The year-round, state-licensed child care program caters to 120 children before and after school, offering sports, arts and crafts and homework help to students from kindergarten through sixth grade.

Sanchez says these programs enable children to increase the number of adult role models they have in their lives.

"The program represents the YMCA's core values of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility," Sanchez says. "Our goal is to instill these values in them."

"The families know what we're all about so it's going to be more of a fun time for everyone," she says.

For more information about the Central YMCA Booksin childcare site, contact Stephanie Sanchez at 408. 265. 3588. For more information on Afterschool Alliance, visit http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/.