YMCA of Austin Shares Joy and Togetherness with Nourishing Neighbors Grant
The YMCA of Austin received a grant during the pandemic from the Albertson’s family to provide food assistance to families in need, part of their Nourishing Neighbors program. As we are nearing the close of the grant, we will use the remaining funding to create spaces of celebration, joy, togetherness and hope over the month of December.
In this spirit, we are providing Randall’s gift cards to our central Austin low-income families at our EAC Y afterschool programs and preschools as well as gift cards and goody bags for our early learning readiness
Stocking Stuffers for Kids
Stockings are a fun holiday tradition. Typically filled with knick knacks, candy, and even fruit, the simplicity of stockings doesn’t take away from the excitement of unpacking them. If you’re looking for some new ideas regarding items to put in your children’s stockings this year, look no further. This comprehensive list of stocking stuffers covers it all, from fruit to gift cards and everything in between.
The Legend of Stockings
The legend of stockings features Saint Nicholas. The story goes that Nicholas overheard a widowed father saying that he couldn’t afford to pay his three daughters’
EAC Y Fun: Cake Mix Playdough
During the week of November 28th through December 2nd, Extend-A-Care YMCA Afterschool Care centers will celebrate National Cake Day and all of the yummy magic of cake! Try out one of our EAC Y crafts at home with this sweet cake mix playdough activity.
GATHER MATERIALS
• 1 Box Cake Mix
• 1/2 Vegetable Oil
• Sprinkles
• 3 tbs Corn Starch
• Powdered Sugar
1. Begin by combining the cake mix and oil in a stand mixer
DIY Gratitude Jar
Make Your Own Gratitude Jar
While being grateful seems simple enough in theory, it can actually be hard to put into practice. We can get so caught up in our busy schedules that we often forget to pause and think about the things and people we are thankful for.
Today’s DIY activity is all about gratitude. Specifically, it’s about implementing practical tools to remember to be grateful—in this case, a gratitude jar! One thing we love about this activity is that it can be as simple or as creative as you want it to be. We’ll share
The Benefits of Classical Music for Children
Beethoven, Bach, Mozart…most of these names are familiar to us, even if we wouldn’t consider ourselves musical. But what we might not be aware of is the benefits that classical music has on children. If you have a little one at home, it might be time to add some Bach to your everyday playlist. Keep reading to learn why!
Classical Music Soothes
Why is it that we tend to sing lullaby songs to soothe infants and children? We often see a noticeable emotional response in children to music. Soothing music has been proven to lower heart rates
5 Eco-Friendly Ways to Dispose of Common Household Goods
5 Eco-Friendly Ways to Dispose of Common Household Goods
By Rachel Perez, Guest Contributor
In commemoration of World Environment Day* this month (observed annually on June 5), we’re highlighting some simple ways to make an impact locally, starting with your home.
Keeping a fresh and tidy home is a great aspect of living a healthy life. However, there are many times that call for the removal of some everyday household things. Items like clothes and toys accumulate over time, and electronics are regularly outpaced by newer models. In other words, we all end up with plenty of stuff
