The YMCA Alliance of Maine is pleased to announce that it is receiving $2.475 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to provide before/afterschool care scholarships to low-moderate income families across the state. These funds, received by the State of Maine through the CARES Act, will be used to provide important childcare, educational, and social emotional support for children during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Maine YMCAs are extremely grateful to the State for recognizing the critical community supports we are providing to families during such a challenging time. These funds will provide scholarships to hundreds of Maine children and enable the YMCAs to continue offering critically needed educational and childcare supports through 2021,” said Meagan Hamblett, Executive Director of the YMCA Alliance of Maine.

The Alliance is working in partnership with the Maine Department of Economic & Community Development and the 16 YMCAs across the state to administer the funds. Families interested in learning more about the program, including the eligibility guidelines, should contact their local YMCA directly.

Collectively, the 16 YMCAs in Maine are the largest provider of early childhood education and before/afterschool programming in the state. The 16 YMCAs in Maine serve more than 130,000 people across the state each year. The YMCA Alliance of Maine supports collaboration amongst the state’s 16 Ys and community partners to increase our impact and advocate for positive change in our communities. Due to its unparalleled reach, the Y is a powerful advocate for our communities and familiar with the needs of the children, families, and individuals throughout the region.