Afterschool program expands to Bentley Community Schools
(FLINT, Mich., Aug. 30, 2017) – Registration for YouthQuest – an afterschool program administered by the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce – is underway at multiple school districts in Flint and Genesee County.
Now in its eighth year, the program offers engaging activities and services that encourage academic achievement; physical fitness; the exploration of science, technology, engineering, arts and math; the development of leadership and other important life skills; and more.
“YouthQuest aims to positively impact the academic and social lives of area youth,” said Rhetta Hunyady, Vice President of Education & Training, Flint & Genesee Chamber. “We do this by offering students a safe place to go where they can get homework help, explore new interests, participate in variety of field trips and spend quality time with their peers.”
During the 2017-18 academic year, YouthQuest, which receives its primary support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and 21st Century Community Learning Centers, will be available to students attending the following schools:
Bentley Community Schools
- Barhitte Elementary (Serving Barhitte and Bentley Middle School)
Carman-Ainsworth Community Schools
- Dye Elementary
- Randels Elementary
Flint Community Schools
- Brownell STEM Academy
- Doyle-Ryder Elementary
- Durant-Tuuri-Mott Elementary
- Eisenhower Elementary
- Freeman Elementary
- Holmes STEM Academy
- Neithercut Elementary
- Northwestern High School
- Pierce Elementary
- Potter Elementary
- Southwestern Classical Academy
International Academy of Flint
- Elementary, middle and high school
YouthQuest will begin Sept. 18 at most schools. Exceptions to this include Freeman Elementary, which follows a balanced calendar and started program Aug. 28.
Additionally, YouthQuest will kick off Sept. 25 at its newest site–Barhitte Elementary. The Burton program, which receives support from the United Way of Genesee County, is open to Bentley students in grades K-8. Students at Bentley Middle School will be bussed to Barhitte Elementary, where program will be held following day school.
“Activities during YouthQuest are fun, engaging and connect to the school day,” said LaKeitha Givens, Program Director, YouthQuest. “This approach helps improve academic performance, while also building important skills such as team work and critical thinking. Not surprisingly, research shows that students who regularly participate in afterschool programs like YouthQuest are more excited about learning and are more likely to graduate.”
Parents can enroll their children in YouthQuest by completing the registration form online or filling out and submitting the YouthQuest form provided at their child’s day school. Registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
For more information about YouthQuest, visit www.yquest.org.
About YouthQuest
YouthQuest is a high-quality, research-based afterschool program offering educational and enrichment activities that engage young minds. Available at 16 sites in the city of Flint and Genesee County, YouthQuest serves 2,000 students in grades K-12 each year. The program is administered by the Genesee Area Focus Fund, a supporting organization of the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, with primary support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and 21st Century Community Learning Centers. For more information, visit www.yquest.org.