Michigan’s Proposed Budget Puts YMCA After-School and Summer Programs at Risk

The budget recently passed by the Michigan House eliminates dedicated funding for Out-of-School Time (OST) programs under Section 32N—a change that would deeply affect families served by the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit.

How This Funding Supports Local Kids and Families

Through a 2023–2024 OST grant from the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), the State Alliance of Michigan YMCAs brought crucial funding to 25 YMCAs across the state, including ours. Thanks to this support, we were able to:

• Operate 35 after-school sites
  • serve 1,238 children
  • provide 225 minutes of academic enrichment daily
  • 90% of caregivers indicated their child’s academic performance improved

• Operate 12 summer camp sites
  • support 1,934 youth
  • provide 245 minutes of academic enrichment daily
  • distribute 294,910 healthy meals and snacks
  • 78% of caregivers said the program prevented summer learning loss

This funding also allowed us to offer access to certified mental health professionals, provide nutritious meals, and create engaging, academic activities—all without raising costs for hardworking families.

How You Can Help

Your voice matters. Contact your legislators and let them know you support continued funding for OST programs. Together, we can ensure that kids across Michigan have safe spaces to grow, learn, and thrive.

Key Legislators

Below are the legislators for the YMCA sites where your youth participates: