To help students adjust to the new normal of online learning, the Mathews Family YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club of Mathews, with support from the county and county personnel, are coming up with solutions for families and children.

To face the issue head-on, the YMCA developed an educational support youth development program that facilitates a child’s virtual learning while being safely monitored and supervised by the YMCA youth development team. But, before the program could be implemented, there was another challenge: Where would it be held?

Conversations between Mathews Family YMCA director Buzz Lambert and Angel Nelson and Hal Smith, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club, resulted in a solution: Using existing Boys and Girls Club space to house the program.

There was much to be done to the existing facility to secure state licensing program certification, and create the clean, safe and healthy space needed to meet emergency standards and provide the environment necessary for students to be successful.

Bathrooms, ceilings and even recreational fields onsite had to be refurbished. Funding had to be secured through donors and other sources. The need for facility refurbishment involved conversations with Mathews County Administrator Mindy Connor, and Mathews County Building Official Kevin Zoll. In a short period, all the critical pieces came together, according to a YMCA release.

“The Mathews Family YMCA is now well-positioned to provide state-licensed student support in a clean, safe, and healthy manner,” Lambert said. “We are grateful for the collaboration with the Boys and Girls Club of Mathews as we share a common mission to support the holistic development of our youth.”

Before and after school, YMCA youth development team members help children with homework, engage in crafts, and participate in healthy activities. And during the virtual school in-class time for each student, those same leaders help children with technology and support their learning opportunities.

“Providing an encouraging, welcoming and safe environment during COVID-19 has been a relentless goal of each member of the youth development team at the YMCA,” said Olivia McComas, Youth Development Director at the Mathews Y. “To meet every child’s health and learning needs, our rooms have been thoroughly sanitized and cleaned. Appropriate social distancing will be closely monitored, and all our students will receive support on their virtual devices as they participate in their scheduled, structured classes.”

Registration is now open for the YMCA’s Student Support Center at the Boys and Girls Club in Mathews. Furthermore, mentoring opportunities are available for community volunteers interested in supporting the educational success of students at the YMCA.

For information on the Student Support program, or to volunteer, call McComas at 804-725-1488 or to register, visit https://ymcavp.org/our-programs/child-development/youth-and-child-care/kindergarten-5th-grade-student-support.