Matthew Jenkins (Youth & Family Director of the Jackson R. Lehman Family YMCA), Blake Zickafoose (Executive Director of the Jackson R. Lehman Family YMCA), Dr. Kim Barnett-Johnson (Chancellor of Ivy Tech Fort Wayne & Warsaw), Nic Spangle (Assistant Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Services and Student Success at Ivy Tech Fort Wayne & Warsaw)
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne and the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne are partnering to open a new YMCA Childwatch Site on Coliseum Campus (3800 N. Anthony Blvd.) exclusively for children of students.
A newly renovated space will officially open on June 5—the beginning of the summer term.
Ivy Tech representatives released the following:
95% of respondents to a fall 2022 student survey said there’s a need for childcare options on campus. The YMCA Childwatch Site is an opportunity for students to drop off their children for up to four hours a day, five days a week while they attend class.
“As a working mother, I know the struggles of finding quality childcare at an affordable cost,” says Ivy Tech Fort Wayne & Warsaw Chancellor Dr. Kim Barnett-Johnson. “We understand our students are working to support their families, and Ivy Tech hopes to alleviate any challenges that might make their journey harder. We’re grateful for the opportunity to become a new YMCA Childwatch Site.”
Services are limited to 30 children at one time and are available first-come, first-serve. The site will be open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Children can be registered at the beginning of each 8-week term with the registration fee of $150 per 8-week session of care. There are also costs at the beginning of each semester: $50 for one child and $25 for each additional child. The daily drop-in rate is $20.
“The Jackson Lehman YMCA is excited to partner with Ivy Tech to bring this service to the campus,” says Tabitha Ervin, Chief Operating Officer of the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne. “Childcare can be a barrier for many in our community and by providing this service, the Y hopes to eliminate that barrier and support students in the pursuit of their education by supporting their children with care provided by trained and caring staff from the Y.”
Students must be on either Ivy Tech’s North Campus or Coliseum Campus for their children to receive services. Registration is open now. Students must pre-register before using either drop-in or regular services at link.ivytech.edu/childwatch. Drop-ins can be scheduled here.
