Pocono News Section

Berwick Y Helps During Northwest Strike

Berwick Y Helps During Northwest Strike - Friday, November 21, 2008 at 4:10PM EST

Reported by: Kyla Campbell
Friday, Nov 21, 2008 @ 04:10pm EST

HUNTINGTON MILLS, LUZERNE COUNTY -- The Northwest Area School District teachers' strike was in day five on Friday, but some Huntington Mills Elementary School students were still in the building. That's because the YMCA has extended it's before- and after-school child care service it already provided throughout the school year, to provide all-day care.

"They give us the space, and we the run program," said Nick Pajovich, the Berwick YMCA's executive director. "Parents can work and not worry if their kids are in a safe environment."

About ten families were taking advantage of the school-aged day-long childcare so far, but the director says the application process is open.

"Kids are always better off supervised, and this fills that niche in the community," added Pajovich.

"My husband and I both teach in another school district, so we don't have these days off," said Annie Groff, a parent taking advantage of the YMCA's service. "Having a place for him to go and not having to find childcare is very beneficial, and it helps us out quite a bit."

Pajovich says they charge $13 a day for YMCA members and $18 a day for non-members, and parents can pay by the day. For more information, you can call 752-5981.