The YMCA Beacons Program is a collaborative community initiative for young people in grades K-12. Schools around the Twin Cities metro provide free and high-quality educational, recreational and leadership development activities after school and in the summer.

On any given day in the Beacons program, young people might enjoy a healthy meal, academic groups with licensed teachers, and enrichment groups like sports, music, breakdancing or art. At the end of the day, young people participate in a closing reflection, and then dismiss for home—busses are provided to young people that qualify for school-day transportation.

The program is designed to help young people:

• Establish connections with caring adults and peers in a safe space
• Improve holistic wellbeing
• Stay on track academically through high school graduation
• Develop skills to prepare for college, work and life
• Foster connections with school and the community

If you are interested in particpating in afterschool programming at JAJ, please contact Yang Thao.