By Brian Flynn, executive director of the Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA
Licensed after-school programs managed by the Lynch/van Otterloo Y have grown by 65% over the past three years in response to the growing need for reliable childcare, reflecting a national conundrum posed by a lack of youth supervision during the post-school day, reports Brian Flynn, executive director.
Nearly 475 young people are served by the Y’s after-school program at six schools in Marblehead and Swampscott. At the Swampscott Elementary School alone, 208 kids attend daily — the largest single site after-school program operated by the YMCA of the North Shore.
In the 2025 Marblehead Board of Health’s “Creating A Healthier Marblehead” survey, 52% of the respondents indicated that access to affordable childcare was a moderate or high concern for the community.
“Our after-school program allows children from kindergarten to eighth grade develop self-confidence, interpersonal relationships and positive values,” said Kathleen Alexandrou, director of the LvO Y’s Out of School Time Programs. “It’s aligned with national frameworks, and unique among other local after-school activities, it’s licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care, permitting us to accept state issued childcare vouchers and contracts, providing affordable access to families who need it most.
“Kids can play, problem solve, and navigate peer dynamics in a safe environment where their primary goal is to build connections and social emotional skills. Some kids are with us for as many as 20 hours a week for years and years, so it’s a special privilege to be part of their villages.”
Research by the Centers for Disease Control validates that after-school programs support student academic achievement and personal and social skills development, linked with positive social behaviors.
“We’re proud to serve hundreds of children each day while making significant investments in financial assistance to help keep these programs accessible, but the need continues to grow,” said Flynn. “Through the generosity of community donors and the YMCA’s Annual Campaign, the Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA expects to provide more than $75,000 in financial assistance for after-school programming this year.
With the support of our community, we can continue to reach more Marblehead and Swampscott families to ensure more children have access to these opportunities.”
To mark “Lights On Afterschool,” a national, one-day recognition of the daily out-of-school activities that keep children safe, supplement their learning and solve a critical challenge for working families, the Lynch/van Otterloo Y — along with YMCAs and youth development organizations nationwide — will illuminate the building in blue, and stage an art gallery walk displaying after-school projects on Oct. 22.
A project of the Afterschool Alliance — a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that all children have access to high quality, affordable out-of-school-time programs — Lights On Afterschool reminds the public of the crucial role that many youth development organizations play in providing supervised and enriching activities for young people after the school day ends.The alliance estimates that nearly 23 million children nationwide are alone and unmonitored daily after school.
