Children & Youth Services

Since 1870, YWCA WNY has responded to the needs of the community by providing high quality programs and services that promote racial justice and advance women’s empowerment. This commitment continues today through a continuum of comprehensive supports and services, focused specifically on individuals and families living with the inter-related issues associated with poverty and homelessness.

Children and Youth Services

YWCA WNY has a long tradition of delivering comprehensive programs that foster healthy development and nurture the potential of every child. Serving low-income children and their families, our comprehensive children and youth programs provide educational, social, emotional and wellness programs that promote school success and family involvement, reflect the cultural diversity of our participants, and facilitate connections between families and needed community services.

School House Commons Early Childhood and School Age Child Care Centers: located at School House Commons, 1005 Grant Street, Buffalo, NY we provide early childhood, afterschool and out-of-school time programming for children six weeks through 12 years of age.

After-school at Cleveland Hill Elementary: located at Cleveland Hill Elementary School in Cheektowaga, this program provides academic and enrichment after-school programming to Kindergarten through 6^th grade students.

Lackawanna Middle School Extended School Day (ESD) Program: located at Lackawanna Middle School, ESD provides after-school academic and enrichment programming to 6^th through 8^th grade students.

Children’s Centers in the Courts: located at both Erie County Family Court, 1 Niagara Plaza, Buffalo, NY and Buffalo City Court, 50 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY, the Children’s Centers provide a safe, nurturing, literacy-rich environment for children in the Court houses. The Centers facilitate connections between families and needed community services.

Teen Empowerment & Mentoring Program: located at JFK Community Center and CRUCIAL Community Center in Buffalo, NY, provides after-school/out-of-school time programming to Buffalo high school students. The program is focused on helping students graduate high school, successfully transition to college or vocational training, and realize their full potential. This is accomplished through a uniquely designed curriculum, supported by guest speakers, campus field trips and community service opportunities. In addition, through a strong affiliation with Buffalo Employment Training Center’s (BETC) Summer Youth Program, the Program is able to provide participants with a 25-hour a week, six week summer job.