Santa Maria Valley YMCA opens new facility as demand for youth services increases

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Since the start of the new year, the Santa Maria Valley YMCA continues to serve families with children in need of services.

Tiana Parker loves bringing her 2-year old Eli to the Y's new Kids Corner.

"When COVID was going on for my health I desperately needed to work out …
and have a place where I can also take my kids and allow them to be outside
and play with other kids," said Parker.

The Y’s new facility allows kids to do just that.

"I was shocked how huge it is and during COVID there was so much space for
kids to be around but not crowded in a room this outside is amazing and
then I went inside they were so careful with all the restrictions very
clean and neat," said grandparent Lisa Griffith.

As families continue signing up for the Y’s youth services managers are
implementing more activities for the kids.

"I’m most excited about our outdoor area right now in the development that
we’re doing with that we have a sandbox and water table coming we are
putting in the garden for the kids to work on but even just the way it is
now they love to do chalk they love just being active," said childcare coordinator Eden Bailey of the Santa Maria Valley YMCA.

The Y projects more families will continue signing up for the Kid's Corner this year.