The Tarrant County YMCA is creating nine virtual learning assistance sites across Tarrant County for students to complete their schoolwork.

Tarrant County commissioners approved $770,000 in CARES Act funding to support this program.

“We were getting a lot of questions with people trying to make plans for what they were going to do this fall,” said Holly Winn, the executive director of association child care. “[Parents] turned to us and said ‘what are we going to do?’…that really kicked us into action.”

Students from kindergarten through fifth grade can attend their virtual classes, receive academic support and participate in social activities, Winn said.

This will help parents cope with the challenges of distance learning for their families.

“I had no idea what I was going to do with my daughter since I have to work and have no one else to watch her,” said Laura Montalvo.

Montalvo has sent her daughter to the YMCA’s after-school program for the past four years and is looking forward to sending her for another year.

“It’s nice to have somewhere I can take my daughter during the day when I’m at work even after school gets out,” Montalvo said.  

The YMCA will have three locations: Benbrook Community Center YMCA, Ryan Family YMCA and YMCA Camp Carter.

The program will also collaborate with Clayton Youth Enrichment, Girls Incorporated of Tarrant County and Tarrant Girls and Boys Club.

The fee is $30 per week for each student, and 60 students can attend each YMCA location.

The program began Sept. 8; follow this link to sign up.