Family Engagement
When families are actively engaged, children tend to perform better academically, have improved social skills and show greater resilience.
Engaged families help reinforce positive behaviors and values, ensuring consistency between what children learn at home and in educational settings.
Child and Family Advocate Program
The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids is proud to share we are the recipients of Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage funding to offer the Child and Family Advocate Program to families of children in early childhood education programs in partnership with Hispanic Center of West Michigan, Refugee Education Center, and Steepletown Neighborhood Services. Child and Family Advocates will partner to strengthen families and their early learning experience through one-on-one support. To be eligible, families must have a 0-5 year-old child enrolled at the YMCA or a participating partner location in Kent County.
Please e-mail Tara at tgwamna@grymca.org for registration information.
Looking to Partner with a Child and Family Advocate? Review our Menu of Services and contact Tara Gwamna at tgwamna@grymca.org today!
Our Programs
Parent Resource Center
![child and family advocate program infographic year end 2024[30]](https://www.grymca.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/child-and-family-advocate-program_infographic_year-end_202430.jpg)
MI Bridges Eligibility Calculator
Did you know more families are now eligible for low or no cost child care?
Use this calculator to see if you qualify, and then visit Michigan.gov/mibridges to apply to lower your child care costs and put more money in your pocket.This calculator takes 1-2 minutes to complete. They ask simple questions about the people you live with, your income and your child care needs. What you shasre is private and will not be shared.
Connect Jamilyn as a Navigator on MI Bridges if you already have benefits.
CP ID #: 3602527-008
Any questions please contact Jamilyn at jruwersma@grymca.org.
Partners
Our Staff
Questions? Contact Tara Gwamna, our Family Engagement Senior Director at tgwamna@grymca.org.