Located within the shelter, Shelter Children's Services (SCS) provides a safe and developmentally appropriate environment for children of program participants, along with support and education for the entire family. SCS offers licensed on-site childcare, tutoring, school transportation, school supplies, school liaison assistance, parent education, clothing, food, diapers, and special activities for children.

The Shelter’s Children’s Services program strives to make certain each child’s individual needs and goals are met. Some of the children’s needs may include having onsite physical therapy arranged, being outfitted with proper winter attire, receiving referrals to counseling or mental health services, finding a violin for orchestra class or simply receiving a hug when they need one the most. Some examples of goals set by the children include going to sports or summer camp for the first time, learning how to read, learning how to fit in with their peers, making the dance line team or improving their grades at school.

Ben's Story (Names have been changed to maintain confidentiality.)

Ben came from out of state with his mom, younger brother Danny, and baby sister Emily. The two boys were very angry, would scream profanities and try to hurt childcare staff because they wanted to be with their mom all day. Ben and Danny soon began to realize that their words and actions were preventing them from becoming friends with the other children in childcare. After a few weeks of attending childcare regularly, and with the tender, loving care of the childcare staff, the boys began to relax their anger, enabling childcare staff to help them use words to help solve problems instead of letting their anger take over. These small, yet substantial, improvements were noticed by their mother and many other YWCA staff members.

Ben and his siblings have continued making positive progress in many ways. Ben visits with a speech therapist each week in childcare to help improve his speech skills. He is always excited to see his “teacher.” Ben’s mother worked closely with the parent education specialist within the shelter to help enroll Danny into Head Start. Danny is enjoying the program and has improved significantly on using his words to help solve problems instead of screaming and/or hitting. Emily has grown and learned to walk, making developmentally appropriate advances.