Education & Leadership

Education & Leadership Programs

The YMCA cares about education and leadership. The YMCA creates opportunities for youth and teens to contribute to their communities. Our education and leadership programs partner with families, schools, businesses, and the entire community to help provide brighter futures for young people. Our YMCA gives youth a safe place to call their own and a chance to connect with positive role models and adults who care about them. Education & Leadership programs include youth development activities, leadership groups, community service projects, exposure to diverse career options, after-school activities, tutoring and mentoring, sports, camping, strength-training, and fun, recreational events.

Y Preschool Programs
YMCA Preschool programs offer a wonderful place where your child can learn and grow in a safe and nurturing environment. The programs are operated on an experiential learning philosophy—children learn by doing. The theme-based curriculum includes skill building for kindergarten readiness through a literacy-based circle time, arts, dramatic play, math concepts, building blocks, manipulatives, games, and physical play. The children also learn positive social skills and can participate in additional enrichment activities.

Preschool Sites Vary.
Contact these Ys for details:
Oak Park YMCA - 827-9700
Parkwood YMCA - 827-9680

Y-Achievers
Y-Achievers is committed to enhancing academic, personal and career goals of high school students from diverse backgrounds. The group brings students and adult role models together to help students succeed in school and learn marketable skills. The program includes career cluster sessions, study skills, team building, communication training and field trips to colleges and professional work places.

Learning Centers
Learning Centers provide a safe and fun place for youth and teens to learn new skills. Our center coordinators and leaders provide guidance in participating in a variety of programs offered at the YMCA. Learning Centers provide a place for learning about computers and technology, while being in a positive environment with recreational activities and opportunities to socialize with others.

Contact these Ys for details:
Oak Park YMCA - 827-9700
Westside YMCA - 827-9670

H.O.P.E. Scholars
The H.O.P.E. Scholarship Program (Helping Other People Excel) is an education initiative in cooperation with the Lansing School District, the City of Lansing , Lansing Community College, Michigan State University, the Lansing Police Department, and in cooperation with local businesses and private citizens.

The H.O.P.E. Scholarship Program offers Lansing School District youth an opportunity for a college education and a brighter future. Students are initiated into the program as sixth graders. Students promise to finish high school in exchange for two years of free tuition at Lansing Community College. The students are chosen by their school based on their ability to utilize the program.

The H.O.P.E. Scholarship Program was developed to assist Lansing School District youth in their commitment to graduate from high school and go onto college. The YMCA partnered with the program to provide 3 month memberships at any location of the YMCA of Lansing to those H.O.P.E students based on criteria set by the Lansing School District including increased GPA and better attendance.