Greater Scranton YMCA Receives Grant

In April 2024, the Greater Scranton YMCA was awarded a $15,000 Community Needs Grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. The grant will support the purchase of outdoor playground equipment at the Y’s new Early Learning Center in Olyphant. The center opened in April 2024.

Through the opening of the new center, the Greater Scranton YMCA’s goal is to offer our community much needed childcare services, allowing parents to work knowing their child(ren) are in a safe and nurturing environment. The center will provide children with the tools and resources needed for success in kindergarten and beyond, and the outdoor playground equipment will provide children with daily opportunities for outdoor play. The new center, which is licensed to serve up to 125 children, will also aid jobseekers, creating 16 full-time and two part-time positions.

“It’s because of the incredible generosity of community partners like the Scranton Area Community Foundation that the Greater Scranton YMCA is able to serve so many members of our community,” said Rich Surridge, Interim CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “The opening of our second early learning center will allow our Y to provide care to the substantial number of children and families in need of childcare services. The outdoor playground will be such a wonderful asset to the center.”

For more information about early childhood education at the Greater Scranton YMCA, contact Tressa Parker, Senior Director of Education, at tparker@gsymca.org or visit the Y online at www.greaterscrantonymca.org.