West Essex YMCA Receives Grant to Enhance School Age Child Care Curriculum

By: Mollie Shauger | Friday, March 14, 2025 | News

West Essex YMCA leadership staff Bill Kanas, Shannon Frank, Cheryl Tuturice, Norah Hatch and Alisa Laudicina with Esmin Bernard and Ferdinand Bright, holding the check, from Flagstar Foundation.

LIVINGSTON, NJ - The West Essex YMCA, supported by funding from the Flagstar Foundation, is excited to introduce an arts and culture enrichment program for West Orange students enrolled in the Y's School Age Child Care program and Universal Pre-K program at Peanut Shell Early Childhood Learning Center in Livingston. 

The Flagstar Foundation is providing a $25,000 grant to support the implementation of this program. Longtime Y employee Roula Ramadan will be the consultant for the initiative, conducting one-hour enrichment activities each week at the two Y’s School Age Child Care sites in West Orange, and at Peanut Shell’s UPK program. Ramadan has worked for the Y for more than eight years, starting as an aftercare counselor and then becoming a theater specialist at Super Summer Day Camp. During the school year, she teaches English Language Arts. 

This initiative will enhance the Y’s child care program by delivering programming that supports students' emotional and mental health. 

“We’re thrilled to partner with Flagstar Foundation to provide local students with unique opportunities to explore their talents and interests while also learning healthy habits from an early age,” said Cheryl Tuturice, District Executive Director at the West Essex Y. “This funding will greatly enhance our ability to deliver valuable programs to children who may not otherwise have those opportunities.”

Each week, students will explore a new culture or tradition from around the world, many of which are widely celebrated in West Orange, Ramadan explained. Each project is accompanied by a story book, or a discussion. In these discussions, students are able to ask questions and share things about their cultures, finding connections amongst each other. 

“The students are given free rein to express themselves through the art - whether it be singing, dancing, painting, or drawing - the rules are simple: approach these topics with respect, ask questions to learn more, and enjoy a full hour of freedom of expression,” said Ramadan. “The students have expressed how much fun these activities are and how it’s something they look forward to every week.”

So far in the program students have created self-portraits of how they see themselves utilizing special skin tone paints, they’ve explored Adinkra symbols from Ghana and created their own Kente clothes, and they’ve painted wooden snakes for the Lunar New Year.

The Metro YMCA will collaborate closely with public school districts to align this program with school objectives and to offer expanded learning opportunities. Furthermore, families facing economic challenges will be encouraged to apply for the Y for All Financial Assistance Program, which provides eligible families a reduced rate on Y programs, including child care. 

“We are proud to support the West Essex YMCA’s Arts and Culture Enrichment Program, which is aligned with our commitment to fostering artistic and cultural diversity within our communities,” said Beth Correa, Director of Corporate Responsibility, Flagstar Bank. “This initiative not only introduces young people to the transformative power of the arts but also highlights the important role that the arts play in supporting emotional and mental health. By providing students with creative outlets that promote mindfulness, we are helping them build resilience, self-awareness, and confidence. We're excited to support this program and look forward to seeing the impact it will have.”

“The West Orange School District is excited to congratulate the West Essex YMCA on receiving the Flagstar Foundation grant. The District is honored to partner with the Y to provide our young students with both an academically focused school day and a newly enhanced after school program. This enriched program aligns with the preschool curriculum by allowing students to independently explore materials in creative ways and problem solve. This will also aid literacy development and cultural competence for all participating students,” said Kalisha Dorlean, Early Childhood Director at West Orange Public Schools.

For more information about the Y’s Child Care programs, visit https://www.metroymcas.org/childcare.

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ABOUT THE Y

Established in 1885, the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges invests in its diverse communities to promote wellness, safety, and quality of life for children, adults, and seniors. Its six branches in East Orange, Livingston, Maplewood, New Milford, Hardyston, and Stillwater are committed to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living, and fostering a sense of social responsibility through an array of programs. Some 35,000 people belong to the Metro Y, which awards more than $2 million annually in direct and indirect financial assistance.