SC YMCA Big 6th Afterschool Program 

Sheridan County YMCA Executive Director Liz Cassiday spoke on The Big 6th Afterschool Program during an appearance on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse. 

For the last 10 years, the SC YMCA has been researching, writing and emplacing policies to better protect children in their facilities. 

Working to meet the strict standards of Praesidium (an abuse risk management firm that evaluates comprehensive child abuse prevention) for the past two years, staff at the Y have been updating approximately 60 to 70 various policies.

One of those standards has changed the age requirement to be alone in the YMCA facilities from 8 to 12 years of age. 

With the change in policy by the SC YMCA put in place as another safeguard against the abuse of children, Cassiday and her team did not want to exclude the critical age group of kids that are transitioning to jr. high. Sixth grade youth are not “little kids” and yet not “young adults”. 

L. Cassiday 

The Big 6th Afterschool Program meets that need of giving 6th graders a place to go after school that isn’t a daycare but a safe environment for these kids to stay active. 

L. Cassiday 

The Sheridan County YMCA is currently closed for annual maintenance and cleanup and will reopen to the public on Aug. 17. 

Learn more about the The Big 6th Afterschool Program by contacting the YMCA by clicking here.