Youth Programs
Encourage young people to engage in self-discovery
YWCA of Southwestern Illinois youth programs are designed to encourage young people to engage in self-discovery and build meaningful relationships with peers while empowering them to be the change agent for their futures.
YWCA of Southwestern Illinois provides access to youth programs and services at little or no cost to families.
Whether it is Community Tutoring, Boys Council, Girls Circle, or other activities, YWCA of Southwestern Illinois programming supports the healthy development of our youth while providing opportunities to connect with others and increase awareness of social justice issues connected to YWCA of Southwestern Illinois mission.
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![Riverbend Reading Club]()
Riverbend Reading Club
Riverbend Reading Club is a free program for kids in grades K – 3rd, designed to bring struggling readers and writers to grade level.
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![Community Tutoring]()
Community Tutoring
Prevents summer learning loss in reading and math offered in the summer for children grades K-6.
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![Boys Council]()
Boys Council
The Council is a free strength based group approach to promote boys' safe and healthy passage through pre-teen and adolescent years boys ages 10 -16.
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![Girls Circle]()
Girls Circle
The Girls Circle model, a structured support group for girls and youth who identify with female development from 9-18 years.
Riverbend Reading
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Riverbend Reading
Is your child struggling to keep up with their grade level in reading and writing?
Do you want to provide them with the tools they need to succeed in a supportive and engaging environment? Look no further than Riverbend Reading Club, a FREE program brought to you by YWCA!
Designed specifically for kids in grades K – 3rd grade, Riverbend Reading Club is your child's pathway to reaching their full potential in literacy. Our small, relaxed group setting ensures personalized attention and a comfortable learning environment where every child can thrive.
What's Included:
Additional Phonics Instruction: Strengthen your child's foundational skills with targeted phonics instruction, paving the way for confident reading and writing.
Lunch: Fuel your child's learning journey with nutritious meals provided daily.
Fun Enrichment Activities: Learning doesn't stop at the books! Your child will enjoy a variety of enriching activities designed to spark creativity and curiosity.
Don't let your child fall behind—empower them to soar with Riverbend Reading Club! Spaces are limited, so secure your child's spot today.
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What Sets us Apart?
At Riverbend Reading Club, we don't just aim to catch your child up to grade level—we strive to exceed expectations! We've partnered with the renowned Fountas & Pinnell Leveled Literacy Curriculum, a proven supplementary intervention system that has transformed the literacy achievement of struggling readers worldwide.
With engaging leveled books and fast-paced, systematically designed lessons, your child will embark on an exciting journey toward literacy success. Our expert instructors group students at similar reading levels, ensuring tailored instruction that meets each child's unique needs. With no more than 5 – 6 kids per group, your child will receive the individualized attention they deserve.
Summer Session Details:
📅 When: June 3rd – June 27th
🕙 Time: Mondays – Thursdays, 10 am – 2 pm
📍 Where: YWCA
Community Tutoring
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What is Community Tutoring?
Are you searching for a way to keep your child engaged and learning throughout the summer months? Look no further than YWCA's renowned Community Tutoring Program—now in its 8th year of empowering young minds!
About Community Tutoring:
Serving children in grades K – 7th, our Community Tutoring Program offers a comprehensive approach to summer learning. Each session is carefully crafted to provide one hour of focused reading instruction, one hour of dynamic math instruction, and one hour dedicated to lunch and enriching activities.
Why Choose Community Tutoring?
At YWCA, we understand the importance of quality education. That's why our program is led by certified teachers and instructors with extensive educational credentials. Your child will benefit from expert guidance tailored to their individual needs, ensuring a rewarding and effective learning experience.
But it's not just about academics—Community Tutoring also prioritizes creating a fun and emotionally safe space for children to thrive. Our supportive environment fosters confidence, creativity, and a love for learning that lasts a lifetime.
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Proven Results:
We're proud to say that Community Tutoring isn't just about keeping kids busy—it's about making a real difference in their academic growth. Year after year, our program has successfully eliminated summer learning loss and showcased significant learning gains in reading and math for our dedicated students.
Summer Session Details:
📅 When: Every Tuesday, July 2nd – August 6th
🕚 Time: 11 am – 2 pm
📍 Where: YWCA (Transportation provided for field day at Gordon Moore Park on August 13th)
What's Included:
Expert Instruction: Benefit from personalized guidance from certified teachers and instructors.
Dynamic Curriculum: Engage in interactive reading and math activities designed to boost skills and confidence.
Enriching Activities: Explore exciting enrichment activities during lunchtime, fostering creativity and social connections.
Join Us for Field Day!
Mark your calendars for the highlight of the summer: Community Tutoring's field day at Gordon Moore Park! This exciting event, tentatively scheduled for August 13th, promises a day of fun, games, and celebration for all participants. Plus, transportation to and from the park is provided by YWCA, ensuring a hassle-free experience for you and your child.
Don't Miss Out—Register Today!
Boys Council
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Boys Council
The Council is a free strength based group approach to promote boys' safe and healthy passage through pre-teen and adolescent years boys ages 10 -16. The Council meets a core developmental need in boys for strong, positive relationships. In this structured environment, boys gain the vital opportunity to address masculine definitions and behaviors and build their capacities to find their innate value and create good lives--both individually and collectively.
In weekly sessions, a group of no more than 12 boys meet with a facilitator for two hours. The group format includes warm up activities, a "Council" format check in, experiential activities that address relevant topics, and a reflection and group dialogue component. The focused activities include group challenges, games, skits, role playing, journaling . . . Topics address healthy competition, playing fair, dealing with bullies, accepting differences, valuing diversity, safe expressions of emotions, gaining and using power constructively, influences of mentors and role models, rejecting violence, becoming allies with girls and women, mentoring others, and making safe and healthy decisions in their relationships and for themselves.
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When boys have an opportunity to develop a team spirit, participate in group activities, express ideas and examine feelings, and make decisions in a safe, non-judgmental community, their resiliency is strengthened. The Council encourages understanding, critical thinking skills, price and unity as boys grow towards young manhood.
The Council meets on Thursdays, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, at YWCA of Southwestern Illinois. Alton Housing Authority will provide transportation for kids from Oakwood and Alton Acres to YWCA of Southwestern Illinois and drop them back off. Kids will be picked up from each center at both housing sites.
You can email programs@ywcaswil.org or call 618-465-7774 with any questions.
Girls Circle
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What is Girls Circle?
The Girls Circle model, a structured support group for girls and youth who identify with female development from 9-18 years, integrates relational theory, resiliency practices, and skills training in a specific format designed to increase positive connection, personal and collective strengths, and competence in girls.
YWCA of Southwestern Illinois, using the Girls Circle Curriculum, aims to counteract social and interpersonal forces that impede girls’ growth and development by promoting an emotionally safe setting and structure within which girls can develop caring relationships and use authentic voices.
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Learn More About Girls Circles in the Riverbend
YWCA of Southwestern Illinois has utilized several local women as Facilitators: Felicia Alexander, Alton Middle School staff person, Jessica Everage, Masters in Social Work, and Sherry McGrady, Masters in Psychological Counseling. The Friendship and Being a Girl Guides have been successfully used by the various Circles. New Guides will be used in the future although all Girls Circles starting up will begin with the Friendship and Being a Girl units.