A Recipe for Success
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A Seat at the Table with Chancellor Flores: Bridging Education and Childcare with YMCA of Greater San Antonio
We’re thrilled to share an insightful new podcast episode with the YMCA of Greater San Antonio. The episode explores our exciting partnership to bridge the gap between higher education and childcare.
In this episode, Dr. Mike Flores, Chancellor of the Alamo Colleges District, discusses how this collaboration transforms access to education and supports student parents. Mariana Perez, a proud UTSA alumna and YMCA of Greater San Antonio member, and Louis Lopez, YMCA of Greater San Antonio CEO, join him as they discuss how the partnership is impacting the community.
During the summer, the partnership served 1,333 students, providing childcare and camp services for Alamo Colleges students and their children.
Some key topics they explored include:
- How this partnership benefits families
- How the YMCA of Greater San Antonio is expanding its support to Alamo Colleges students and their families
- Learn more about how this initiative is reshaping opportunities for our community
INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
How this partnership benefits families
Lopez: The one thing that I think we’ve done well over our past 148 years of existence is responding to the needs of our communities and evolving as those needs change. This is an excellent example of how we partner with other like-minded organizations to continue elevating and lifting our communities and families.
Perez: It’s helped a lot. It helped me manage all my responsibilities—having two children, going to school, and working—it’s a lot. The camp just helped, knowing that he’s taken care of, fed, and having fun.
How the YMCA of Greater San Antonio is expanding its support to Alamo Colleges students and their families
Lopez: I’m really excited to share that we’re going to be providing, in partnership with ACD, child care on-site five days a week for any student parent returning to school. They will have homework assistance and a curriculum designed for them and you.
Learn more about how this initiative is reshaping opportunities for our community.
Lopez: Right now, we are in a childcare crisis, and what I mean by that is that there is an ecosystem that does not work without childcare. When we’re talking about workforce development, empowering others, lifting up individuals, and the Alamo Colleges' commitment to ending poverty, all of these things must include childcare. When we think about a healthy spirit, mind, and body, that’s this holistic approach to wellness and well-being. Childcare is a significant critical component of that. … So we’re excited that ACD has been thoughtful enough to say hey, this is important for us and our students.
For more information on how the Alamo Colleges and the YMCA of Greater San Antonio are teaming up to empower families, visit alamo.edu/ymca.