Youth Enrichment

The Summer Food Program is an extension of the USDA free and reduced lunch program. Due to COVID-19, the 2020 program was changed to a weekly drive through meal pickup. Nearly 15,000 meals were served during the 2020 SFP.

Participants ages 4-18 are eligible for a free nutritional breakfast and lunch every day and kids ages 4-15 take part in fun recreational activities such as trips to the Brumback Library and Franklin Park, swimming, arts and crafts, movies and special guests. A weekend back pack program ensures that kids have food available to them over the weekend. The Mobile Farmers Market for Families with Children provides fresh produce and popular protein items to families with children participating in the YWCA Summer Food Program.

Information regarding the 2021 program will be released in the spring of 2021. Please check our website and Facebook page in the Spring.

The YWCA of the USA adopted the USA Track & Field RunJumpThrow (RJT) youth activity program as part of its national offering to the girls it serves, and the YWCA of Van Wert County is excited to bring this program to this community.

In this FREE program funded by the United Way of Van Wert County, youth experience hands-on learning program designed to get kids excited about physical activity by introducing them to basic running, jumping, and throwing skills through track and field. All youth in Van Wert County (boys and girls) are invited to participate. Check out the links below for some video of the final RJT session of 2018.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mOthj8Z6BgcFZGhbUZRVIEUxRa8Rw6Jo/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ao9eRKvCuBcRBsppeq79iD9JMB2VZOEN/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ohvPvQnvIpKcn6llLMIL0qq9uOFo2IFj

Our staff are certified facilitators of One Circle Foundation, which aims to transform lives through circles promoting resiliency and healthy relationships through gender relevant and culturally responsive models. This is carried out through Girls Circle, a support group for girls ages 9-12. If interested in joining a group or learning more about the opportunity, please email bhamman@ywcavanwertcounty.org or call 419.238.6639 ext. 106.

I heard about the Summer Food Program at the YWCA and how kids go there and have an absolute blast while being in a safe environment and being fed a healthy breakfast and lunch. It gets better.... all of this is donation only!! This is so great for our small town. There are not enough words to describe how grateful I am for this fantastic program and the YWCA organization and staff. You have made this summer much less stressful and lots of more fun for my baby girl.Thank you a million times over!