Recently, NJSACC: New Jersey’s School Age and Out of School Time Professional Network celebrated their 30th anniversary at the annual statewide afterschool conference in Princeton. The celebration was a highlight of the years the organization has made an impact on afterschool and out of school time in New Jersey. The organization supports child care providers and after school programs throughout the state as one of 50 state wide affiliate networks.
very year the National Afterschool Association recognizes those who work with young children after the typical school day ends. These professionals truly make a difference in young people’s lives.
Our programs celebrated SEL Day (Social Emotional Learning) Day this past week. Children at the afterschool program in Hillsborough did an activity together as a team focused around problem solving.
The YES Early Learning Center @ St. Ladislaus Celebrated National Children’s Dental Health Month by hosting the “Dental Hygiene Day” event in collaboration with members of Team Salud from RWJ Barnabas Health.
The YES Early Learning Center @ St. Ladislaus Celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day by hosting the “I Have A Dream” Read Aloud Day event in collaboration with volunteers from RWJ Barnabas Health whom took time out of their busy schedules to come and read to our students.
Life can be very hectic for working parents of school-age children, and for many the most challenging time comes when the school bell signals the close of the day. The time when mothers did not work and were home to greet their youngsters after school are long gone. Today in most families dads and moms work most times beyond the school day or they have other obligations.
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen joined with child care providers across the nation to celebrate the Week of the Young Child from April 4th to April 8th. Week of the Young Child is a program run by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. It takes place every year in April and brings focus to young children, their families and the childhood programs that they need.
It was a typical, bustling morning at the Catholic Charities YES Early Learning Center in New Brunswick on November 16th. Staff members were welcoming the preschoolers and their families as they arrived to school and settled into their educational day. As the children finished entering the Center and families went off to start their day, the doorbell rang at the main entrance. One of the Learning Center’s Family Workers greeted a man at the door. He stated that he wanted to make a donation to the Center to benefit the students and their families. Speechless by this unexpected act of generosity, the Family Worker looked down to the man’s hands to find three envelopes totaling $900.00 in cash. The man would not share his name and did not want recognition! Astonished by the man’s kindness, the Family Worker thanked him as he walked away. The money donated will go directly to the families in the form of gift cards to purchase holiday meal items and needed groceries. As we enter the season for giving, this generous man reminds us that “Giving is not just about making a donation; it’s about making a difference.” Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen Child Care typically serves over 1400 children, preschool to school age throughout several counties in New Jersey. Over 145 preschoolers attend the YES Early Learning Center located in New Brunswick on a daily basis. To learn more about Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen and Child Care please visit our website: www.ccdom.org/child-care
Students from the World Language Honor Societies from Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung recently hosted a diaper drive to benefit Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen’s New Brunswick childcare programs and Unity Square Neighborhood. Senior students from the Mount Language Honor Societies used their talents to create a video (https://vimeo.com/473424318 ) to promote the diaper drive. The drive was extended due to the large response from Mt Saint Mary Academy families.
Cadets from Civil Air patrol Squadron led by 1Lt Carol-Faaland-Kronmaier, CAP Deputy Commander for Cadets, and Major Lorrainne Denby team up with Dr. Sarah Shell to provide masks for healthcare workers and hospitals and now to local non-profit organizations.
Diaper donations from both Immaculate Conception Church and St. James of Bas king Ridge for our child care centers in New Brunswick will be distributed to all of our families at both YES St. Ladislaus and YES ELC in New Brunswick.
The community members served by the Catholic Charities YES child care centers in New Brunswick continue to experience an increase in food insecurity. Through a generous food donation...
Catholic Charities’ Child Care Site Supervisor Jenelle Clauson read a Facebook post about a 104 year old Marine’s special plea for Valentine’s Wishes. Ms. Clauson gathered her colleagues at Hatchery Hill Elementary School and organized a project for the kids in the Catholic Charities’ after school child care program to respond to the oldest living Marine’s request.
Rutgers Public Safety Officers were recognized by Catholic Charities’ YES Program as part of a learning unit about Community Service Providers. Officer Correa and SCO Joshua visited the Catholic Charities’ YES @ St Ladislaus Preschool Program, stopping into every classroom to read books to the children and to distribute coloring books about Handling Emergencies and When to Call 911.