Upcoming Program: After School

YWCA of Queens is ramping up efforts as we get ready to start our Fall programming and we couldn't be more excited!

After School Program
After School is the oldest program at the YW and provides quality care for children of working parents. Participants take part in a variety of fun and engaging activities that improve academic and social skills. Children also participate in silent reading, homework help and tutoring.

Eligibility: Pre-K - 5th Grade
Term Period: September 8, 2010 - June 28, 2011 (follows NYC public school calendar)
Time: Monday - Friday
2 p.m.-3 p.m. YWCA van pick-up
3 p.m.-6 p.m. After School program
Fee:
Pre-K - 2nd Grade: $250/4 weeks
3rd Grade - 5th Grade: $300/4 weeks
Transportation starting at $75/4 weeks

Upcoming Program: Evergreen School

Evergreen School
The Evergreen School for seniors truly keeps participants young at heart with educational and recreational programs that enhances quality of life and actively engages seniors to be healthy and energetic. The School allows seniors to interact with one another, share mutually common interests and spend time with both old and new friends. Participants are able to take yoga and sports dance classes, go on field trips, learn Korean painting and watch performances. Seniors also have the opportunity to participate in the Y Evergreen Choir, whose singers are deemed the goodwill ambassadors of the community and the YW as they perform at various events and settings around the city.

Eligibility: Korean woman, age 55 and over
Term Period: Fall, September 14 - December 16 (12 wks)
Time: TBA
Fee: Varied

To register for After School or Evergreen School, pick up and submit a registration form at the YW facilities.

The 2010 Summer Literacy Festival Wrap Up

A young boy shows off his creation (with help from his mom) at Alphabet Soup

YWCA of Queens' 2010 Summer Literacy Festival brought together over 300 children, youth and family members from all over Queens on Saturday, August 7th, to raise awareness and interest in reading and writing. The day kicked off with a special greeting from Councilmember Peter Koo, who emphasized the importance of staying engaged in books, especially during the summer months. The festival was jam-packed with different activities for youth to participate. For the Alphabet Soup activity, kids used different crafts to construct their name in a creative way. The puppet show entertained children with stories like "Little Red Riding Hood" and Senator Toby Ann Stavisky captivated eager listeners with her rendition of "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs."

Story time with Senator Toby Ann Stavisky

During the popular Spelling Bee event, contestants came prepared and determined to win. In fact, contestants knew words so well that the moderator nearly ran out of words! The brand new competition Teen Jeopardy allowed youth to imagine being on the famous game show and answer trivia questions pertaining to categories such as geography, science, famous people and U.S. history. For Speak Easy, another new contest, participants tapped their creative sides to express what women empowerment or environmental sustainability meant to them. Performances ranged from speeches to poems to even a rap! Needless to say... the judges had an extremely difficult time selecting the winners.

Summer Literacy Festival Winners with attorney Carolym Im and NY1 reporter Michelle Park

"It is always so encouraging to see our community's youth come out and share with us in the celebration of literacy and the joy of reading," said Moo Young Kim, coordinator of the Summer Literacy Festival. "We look forward to our event next summer with even more activities and exciting games!"

The Summer Literacy Festival was made possible by the generous contributions of HSBC Bank.

Staff and volunteers show off their Y pride!

Summer Literacy Festival

The Summer Literacy Festival is back with some familiar and new competitions for family fun such as the annual Spelling Bee, Story Time, Teen Jeopardy, Alphabet Soup, Family Sing-A-Long, Speak Easy and a Live Puppet Show. For the Spelling Bee, Speak Easy and Teen Jeopardy competitions, participants have a shot at winning Barnes & Noble and Target gift cards valued up to $100.

This year's special guests include Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (who will read during Story Time) and Michelle Park, reporter for NY1 News.

The event is free, so come by and join us in celebrating literacy and the summer!

When: August 7, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: 4207 Parsons Blvd.
Includes: Free food, week long Scholastic book fair, clowns and face painting!

**Proof of grade level is required for Spelling Bee, Jeopardy and Speak Easy. Participants must be entering grade levels in September 2010. Space is limited. Registration ends 5 p.m. August 4, 2010. The Jeopardy Q&A and Spelling Bee word list will be available August 3.

Required documents for registration available:
In person: 42-07 Parsons Blvd Flushing, NY 11355
By fax: 718.353.4044 (Confirmation call required)
By email: mykim@ywcaqueens.org

All inquiries, including volunteering, should be directed to Moo Young Kim at 718.353.4553 x17 or mykim@ywcaqueens.org